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Lady A: ‘What a Song Can Do’ – Album Review

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Lady A’s new album, What A Song Can Do is out now, October 22nd on all streaming platforms. Featuring fourteen tracks co-written by the band, the project includes “Like a Lady,” “Talk of This Town,” and “Friends Don’t Let Friends,” with Thomas Rhett, Carly Pearce, and Darius Rucker. Listen to the new music and read our full review below.

Back in June, Lady A released its What A Song Can Do (Chapter One) EP, composed of seven of the trio’s strongest songs to date. Today, October 22, the consistent hitmakers released the full album of the same name, featuring those initial tracks in addition to seven more.

All but one of the album’s fourteen songs are co-written by at least one member of the band, along with the likes of Ryan Hurd, Thomas Rhett,  Natalie Hemby, Ashley Gorley, and Dave Barnes. That personal touch is evident here, with Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood each turning in standout performances.

The first half of the album is highlighted by the high-energy “Like a Lady,” the introspective “Worship What I Hate” and “What A Song Can Do,” and the sentimental “Things He Handed Down.” These are all themes that continue into the album’s second half.

The high energy continues on “You Keep Thinking That” and “Friends Don’t Let Friends.” The former is an R&B-infused, Scott-led track, inviting an ex to keep thinking that she isn’t able to move on. “I hate to break it to ya // That I’ve been seeing someone new,” She coos, her voice tinted with revenge. “And he ain’t anything like you.”

Meanwhile, on “Friends Don’t Let Friends,” Lady A trade verses with famous friends including co-writer Thomas Rhett, Carly Pearce, and Darius Rucker. The bluesy, radio-ready track is an ode to making bad decisions with your friends, the supergroup singing, “Friends don’t let friends // Drink alone.” 

On “Where Would I Be” and “In Waves” show the more introspective side of Lady A. On the latter, they deal with a breakup, admitting that the healing is something that happens in waves and stages. “Where Would I Be” they find themselves wondering where they’d be in life had they not made tiny choices. “Where would I be // If I hadn’t spent that summer // Waiting tables in my hometown?” Scott asks, “Oh, where, where would I be? // If I hadn’t spilled your drink // And you never asked me out.” They continue wondering, “God only knows // If you never found me // Where would I be?”

“Workin’ On This Love” is a rare-Haywood led track, the sensitive singer-songwriter’s voice, accompanied but not overshadowed by harmonies from his bandmates. Co-written solely by the mega-talented and often-forgotten Haywood, the track celebrates love in its purest form. “Baby I believe // We’re framing history // I wanna roll my sleeves up every day,” He sings. “Get to workin’ on this love we’ve made.”

The sparse, piano-driven “Swore I Was Leaving” closes the album, and it’s truly Lady A at its finest, trading beautiful harmonies over a relatively simple country ballad. Here, their voices soar and the lyrics shine, as Kelley and Scott lament over a relationship that just can’t end. “We both know what’s coming at the end of the night,” They admit over a sultry guitar riff. “I swore I was leaving // But with us // It’s never goodbye.”

Produced by Dan Haff, What a Song Can Do shows Lady A at its very best.  “We’ve rediscovered our purpose, and it’s to entertain and spread a positive message –I really truly believe that,” Kelley revealed in a statement. “I want our legacy to be songs that make people feel good. …But I also think there’s more to our story that hasn’t been written yet.”

Scott agrees, sharing “We are all living in the now together…we’re all a work in progress, and that is what we wanted to share with these songs.”

That work in progress is evident here, as the album focuses heavily on songs with powerful lyrics and beautiful harmonies. If you’re wondering what a song can do, just take a listen to this LP.

What a Song Can Do Track List:

  1. “Talk Of This Town” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds
  2. “What A Song Can Do” | Charles Kelley, Sam Ellis, Ryan Hurd, Laura Veltz   
  3. “Like A Lady” | Hillary Scott, Dave Barnes, Michelle Buzz, Martin Johnson, Brandon Paddock
  4. “Things He Handed Down” | Charles Kelley, Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Thomas Rhett
  5. “Fire” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Justin Ebach
  6. “Chance Of Rain” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Topher Brown, Justin Ebach   
  7. “Worship What I Hate” | Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Natalie Hemby, Amy Wadge      
  8. “Where Would I Be” | David Garcia, Natalie Hemby, Jordan Terry Minton
  9. “Friends Don’t Let Friends” (featuring Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker) | Charles Kelley, Julian Bunetta, Ashley Gorley, Thomas Rhett
  10. “In Waves” | Charles Kelley, Joey Hendricks, Alysa Vanderheym, Michael Whitworth
  11. “You Keep Thinking That” | Charles Kelley, Dave Cohen, Chris Gelbuda, Steven Lee Olsen
  12. “Be That For You” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Corey Crowder
  13. “Workin’ On This Love” | Dave Haywood
  14. “Swore I Was Leaving” | Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Jordan Reynolds, Parker Welling

OUR PICKS:

  1. “Friends Don’t Let Friends” with Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett & Darius Rucker
  2. “Swore I Was Leaving”
  3. “Where Would I Be”
  4. “Talk of This Town”
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Lady A’s new album ‘What A Song Can Do’ is out now.

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

To keep up with Lady A, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

What a Song Can Do 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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Tenille Arts: ‘Girl to Girl’ – Album Review

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On Girl to Girl, Canadian singer-songwriter Tenille Arts co-wrote thirteen new tracks that tell tales of heartbreak, growing up, and more, including a duet with Matt Stell. Listen to the new music and read our full review below.

When it comes to country music, Canadian singer-songwriter, Tenille Arts is the ‘every girl’ the genre needs. On her album, Girl to Girl, out today, October 22, Arts deftly embraces the relatability and country hooks that have made superstars out of the likes of Taylor Swift and Kelsea Ballerini. 

While many other artists have tried to fabricate the role of lyrical doe-eyed innocence, it’s the authentic songwriting on Girl to Girl that puts Arts in a league others rarely play in. Arts co-wrote each of the album’s thirteen tracks and its evident on the delivery of each.

There’s genuine ache present on “High School Sweetheart,” which takes cues from Swift’s “Fifteen” and Brad Paisley’s “Letter to Me.” Meanwhile, “That’s My Friend You’re Talking About” deals with subjects of body-image and self-confidence that any female can relate to, while “One Bedroom Apartment” is about that first apartment that’s nothing special, but everything to its first-time occupant.

On “Breaking Up with Break Up Songs,” she’s finally found a good guy, and is ready to give up break up songs for love songs. “The sound of a steel guitar // Don’t break my heart // Like it used to,” She admits, wistfully. “I guess I’m finally moving on.”

While all of the aforementioned tracks are clear standouts on the album, other high points include the LP’s title track, as well as “Sweet Sixteen,” and her duet with Matt Stell on “Over You is You.” On “Girl to Girl,” Arts is warning a girl about the guy she’s dating. And how does Arts know this guy’s tricks? She’s been there, much in the way Carly Pearce warns the “Next Girl” in her own song.

“Girl to girl // He ain’t worth your time // Girl to girl // He wasted lots of mine // Bet he used the same damn lines // Over tequila and lime,” She warns. “From stealing your heart // To wrecking your world // That boy only knows // How to go // Girl to girl”

Arts enlists Stell to join her on the breakup-but-not-quite-over-you song, “Over You is You.” Here, we find the pair trading verses about trying to move on from a failed relationship, but not quite succeeding. On the mid-tempo builder, the pair sound seamless together, admitting “No matter what I do // Over you is you // Coming over, coming over // Over you is all over you // So come over // We’re not over // Over you is all over you.”

On the stripped down album closer, “Growing Old Young,” the singer-songwriter deals with life in a broken family, and how it forces one to grow up way before their time. “A ten year old should be playing house // Not holding one together,” she sings on the heartbreaking ballad of losing one’s innocence. “You never kissed a boy // But your heart’s in two // Never had a drink // But you know what it can do // Never got to see the world // Before yours came undone // That’s growing old young.” Near the end of the track, Arts takes a breath, regaining her composure, and thus breaking the listener’s heart. “Growing old ain’t a choice // but sometimes growing up ain’t either.”

In a music world full of curated images and fabricated lyrics, there’s no denying that Tenille Arts is the real deal. On each of Girl to Girl’s thirteen tracks, the singer-songwriter is both ebullient and downtrodden, introspective and observant, reflective yet hopeful. She’s relatable on each track, her lyrics telling tales that will both break the heart and have you singing into your hairbrush. 

Girl to girl, this album is one that every girl needs in her life.

Girl to Girl Track List:

  1. Back Then, Right Now
  2. That’s My Friend You’re Talkin’ About
  3. One Bedroom Apartment
  4. Breaking Songs (ft. Callista Clark)
  5. Life Goes Like That
  6. Girl to Girl
  7. Heartbreak Regulars
  8. Mama’s Boy
  9. Over You is You (ft. Matt Stell)
  10. Give It To Me Straight
  11. High School Sweetheart
  12. Sweet Sixteen
  13. Growing Old Young

OUR PICKS:

  1. “Girl to Girl”
  2. “Over You Is You” (with Matt Stell)
  3. “That’s My Friend You’re Talking About”
  4. “One Bedroom Apartment”
tenille-arts-girl-to-girl-album

Tenille Arts new album ‘Girl to Girl’ is officially out now.

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

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

Girl to Girl 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.

Spotify Premieres Brand New Podcast Series, ‘Spotify: Discover This’

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Spotify premiered a brand new podcast series called ‘Spotify: Discover This’ featuring fresh insights on music and much more.

Kicking off the series, Spotify dives into none other than the evolution of country music. The new podcast starts the conversation around the changes in country music, the new sounds, and the incredible dynamics in country music today. On this episode, rising artist BRELAND sits down with three engaging female country artists in the industry: Lauren Alaina, Lily Rose, and Shania Twain.

Throughout the episode, the guests discuss the evolution of women in country music, the nostalgia behind certain 90s tunes, and much more. All three women voiced the idea that women need to be treated equally and fairly in the industry, a concept that BRELAND agreed with. A notable moment in the episode, newcomer and rising star, Lily Rose, shared how the strive for equality in music has led to more diversity in country music, including diversity in race and sexual orientation.

The Spotify: Discover This podcast can be listened to for free exclusively on Spotify! Check out the episode below.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more.

Celebrate Teachers & Get Access to Exclusive Walker Hayes Virtual Show

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Country Swag is helping New York’s Country 94.7 celebrate teachers by hosting an exclusive Kelly Ford in the Morning Teacher’s Lounge Virtual Concert with Walker Hayes!

Purchase a ‘FANCY LIKE Back-to-School’ tee and get exclusive access to Kelly Ford’s Teachers Lounge Virtual Show with Walker Hayes hosted by Country Swag happening on Thursday, October 21st at 6PM ET.

Additionally, nominate a deserving and hardworking teacher at New York’s Country 94.7 and they could win a $250 VISA gift card to help get them much-needed school supplies for the 2021-22 school year.

Adult and Youth tees are available for purchase here. Each purchase gets you a shirt + access to an exclusive Walker Hayes Virtual Show happening at a later date to-be-announced..

Shop ADULTS Tees Here    |    Shop YOUTH Tees Here

Make sure you’re following along on Instagram for updates – @CountrySwag, @NYCountry947, @WalkerHayes.

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Walker Hayes’ viral hit “Fancy Like” is currently climbing the charts at country radio! Listen to the feel-good track here and tune in to New York’s Country 94.7 to hear it live on air.

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Drake White Premieres Two Brand New Songs For Fans

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Singer-songwriter Drake White premieres two brand new songs for fans including “Power of a Woman” and “Giants,” out now on all streaming platforms.

There are many talented country music artists, but there has always been something special about Drake White. The singer-songwriter creates music that is both soothing and captivating. Most recently, White released not one, but two brand new songs entitled “Power of a Woman” and “Giants.”

Both new songs are airy and powerful. On “Power of a Woman,” White croons about romance and the love he has for his wife. The song is as romantic as they come.

“And oh she’s sweet like Sunday morning // She got a mind of her own, Lord, ain’t she something? // Gets me high like lightning storming // I believe in the power of a woman //I believe in the power of a woman, yeah.”

The latter, “Giants” is an ode to strength and hope. As someone who suffered from a stroke back in 2019, the singer knows all about the importance of resilience. “Giants” reminds music lovers to never give up and to keep believing.

“We all got giants // we all feel like David // facing Goliath sometimes.”

Congrats to Drake White for creating music that really speaks to the soul! We are excited for music to come down the pipeline next.

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

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

“Power of a Woman” and “Giants” are 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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Jameson Rodgers Gets the New York City Show He’s Been Waiting For

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Jameson Rodgers finally got to have his New York City headlining show that he’s been waiting nearly two years for.

Bowery Ballroom was buzzing with excitement as patrons flooded the downstairs lobby bar, in anticipation of one of the first country concerts back in Manhattan since March of 2020. The old behaviors of having a drink at the bar with friends before heading in just seems to mean a little bit more this time around.

Rising singer-songwriter, Hunter Phelps opened the show with an acoustic set providing the much-needed ambiance to gather his fans after a long time apart. He played songs likes “Throwin’ Parties” and “Breakup Sex”, which got the crowd really warmed up and in the mood to vibe along to their love of country music.

After a 45-minute set, the room was ready for Jameson Rodgers to take the stage. He came out rocking with his full band to “I Love This Town”, a tribute to all the small towns every country fan knows about. Rodgers recently dropped his debut full-length album,  Bet You’re From a Small Town, on September 17th and New York fans seemed to already know all of the words. “Girl With a Broken Heart” was a standout track of the night, mesmerizing concert-goers with lyrics like, “I know goodbye ain’t no fun // keep telling yourself he ain’t the one.”

His number one, “Cold Beer Calling My Name” brought the party to life and everyone seemed to forget about not having been at a concert in a year. Rodgers mixed in some classics like “Take It Easy”, “Life in the Fast Lane”, and “Heartache Tonight”.

Right after a fan gave the entertainer a shot to take, Rodgers said he’d been waiting two years to play New York City, as he was sick for his originally scheduled 2019 show, and he was due for a second attempt in March of 2020. “There was a time not too long ago, when I didn’t think I’d be back in New York City playing country music;” a stark reminder of everything we’ve all been through the past 18 months.

He introduced his amazing band and they each got to sing a song, ranging from full on rock to a wonderful “Tennessee Whiskey”.

Rodgers also took a moment to bring his opening act, Hunter Phelps back out for a special performance of the number one song they co-wrote together along with HARDY and Ashley Gorley, for Chris Lane, “I Don’t Know About You”. Check out a clip from the special moment below.

Another standout moment was Rodgers’ performance of his track, “One Day” hit close to home for so many to remember what’s really important, and “Bet You’re From a Small Town” rounded it out, bringing it back to his small town roots. No matter what it took to bring him back to New York, everyone was glad he came.

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

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

Jimmie Allen Moves on to The Next Round of ‘Dancing With The Stars’

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Jimmie Allen danced his way through “Grease Week” for week five of Dancing With The Stars.

Jimmie Allen traded in his cowboy boots for a leather jacket Monday night for Grease night on Dancing with the Stars.
Allen, and his partner, Emma Slater danced a Foxtrot to “Stranded at the Drive in” from the classic film and Broadway show. Despite a small stumble on the slippery floor, the pair earned a score of 34 from the judges and enough fan votes to sail through to next Monday’s Halloween themed show.
It was an extra special week for the country crooner who returned to Nashville last Saturday just in time for his wife, Alexis to give birth to their newborn daughter, Zara James.
Jimmie Allen fans can vote for him and other celebrity favorites when Dancing With The Stars airs Mondays at 8PM ET on ABC.

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

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

Jimmie Allen’s music 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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Who Is Brittney Spencer? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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

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Brittney Spencer // Photo Credit: Nicki Fletcher

The Beginning:

There is nothing we love more than supporting female country artists in the industry. Today, we get to highlight a rising female artist that we have been loving, Brittney Spencer. Spencer is an incredible vocalist, songwriter, and overall entertainer, with an interesting journey to the genre.

Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, the singer-songwriter did not have a typical southern upbringing that you see so often with country artists. Despite that, music was a defining pillar in her childhood. “Music was everywhere,” she tells us. “I was singing in the choir when I was three or four years old.”

Both Spencer’s father and late uncle sang, but it was her Dad who really was captivated by music the most. “My family always had a high appreciation for music, and they were always open to hearing different styles as well, so that was always really cool about my family,” she shared.  Spencer later added, “My dad blasts music all around the house all the time, ever since I was a kid. And now I find myself blasting music too.”

As a child, Spencer was exposed to Pop, Hip-hop, R&B, and eventually country music. “I was the first person in my family really to dive into country music and they got on board with that as well. It’s so fun watching my family always expanding their repertoire.”

Spencer recalls listening to the alternative rock radio station on the bus on the way to school each morning. Unbeknownst to her, the radio station would play all different artists, including country musicians. Because of this Spencer became fans of artists like The Chicks, Taylor Swift, and Shania Twain. Of course, the songstress also names John Mayer, Norah Jones, Beyonce, Britney Spears, and India Arie, as some of her inspirations as well.

The Turning Point:

Spencer had a few moments in her life that became turning points to lead her to pursuing country music for a living. “When I heard The Chicks, they made me love country music and I went on this entire escapade of finding every country radio station that I could and I started watching CMT,” she tells us. “I got deep in to it and I loved it […] and a few years later, I found Taylor Swift and there was something about her that made me feel like I could do country music.”

Between the poetry and the storytelling of country music, and finally realizing what the genre was, Spencer became infatuated with the genre. In love with the stories, the singer began to watch documentaries on artists as well. After watching two documentaries, one on Reba, and one on Taylor Swift, Spencer discovered the common thread between the two: Nashville.

She thought to herself, “I don’t know how far I can go, but I should go to Nashville and give this thing a shot, and I did.”

In Nashville, Spencer worked to hone her craft as an artist and as as songwriter. “For me country music is my songwriting and the storytelling that really grounds me in this space.” Spencer later added, “To be able to come to Nashville and bring all of those influences and these melting pot of sounds, that I’ve just been engaged in heavily since I was a kid. It’s an honor, I’ve been meeting so many people like that.”

Today:

Flash forward to present day, Spencer has been named a CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2021 and is on an exciting trajectory with her career. As a self-proclaimed “country-alternative artist,” the songstress has as sound and a vibe all her own. It is clearly resonated across fanbases, as Spencer is currently on the road with Jason Isbell and Brett Eldredge on their respective tours.

Most recently, the singer even put out a song called “Sober and Skinny.” The acoustic and lyrically-focused tune is both a vibe and a heartbreaker. The song came to fruition during a Zoom write, where Spencer came to her co-writers with the idea and a chorus.

“It’s not exactly autobiographical, but I was able to draw on several of my experiences. It was really cool and it challenged me creatively to write about something that wasn’t directly how I felt, but something that was inspired by my thoughts, my experiences.”

According to Spencer, the song has become one of her favorites and set her off on a new level in her artistry as well. “Sober and Skinny was a huge turning point from me creatively. My Compassion EP was so personal, so writing this song was an opportunity to step outside of myself a bit. It really put me on the trajectory that I am which is writing stories.”

Spencer promises that there are more stories and songs on the horizon, coming most likely at the top of 2022. Until then, fans can continue to stream her previously released music and catch her on the road during her upcoming tour dates.

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Connect:

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

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

Brittney Spencer’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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Elvie Shane Scores His First Number One Song with “My Boy”

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Country newcomer, Elvie Shane scores his first number one with his breakout single “My Boy”. The hit tracks marks the singer-songwriter’s very first song to country radio.

It is always exciting when an artist gets their first number one at country radio! Today, newcomer and budding star, Elvie Shane scored his first hit single with “My Boy.” The song went viral on social media, helped land Shane his record deal, and now is his first number one single!

“My Boy” is one of those songs that you cannot help but to love. It speaks of Shane’s journey becoming a stepdad to his now wife’s son. According to the entertainer, his stepson is his son, no matter what DNA says. A clear fan-favorite, “My Boy” is a special song by an incredible singer-songwriter.

“He ain’t my blood, ain’t got my name // But if he did, I’d feel the same // I wasn’t there for his first steps // But I ain’t missed a ball game yet // And that ain’t ever gonna change // I could never walk away // Yeah, he’s my son and that’s my choice // He ain’t my blood, but he’s my, he’s my boy”

Shane is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He has a traditional country sound with a rock edge that will continue to resonate with fans across the genre. His debut EP County Roads is one to listen to. Congrats to the singer and his crew on their first number one!

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

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

“My Boy” 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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Troy Cartwright: ‘Halfway To Houston’ – EP Review

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Troy Cartwright’s major-label debut EP, Halfway To Houstonis out now, October 15th on all streaming platforms. Check out our full review and listen to the brand new music below.

Warner Music Nashville recording artist, Troy Cartwright is officially making his major label debut. The singer-songwriter’s brand new EP, Halfway To Houston features five new songs that showcase his artistry and undeniable talent. Halfway To Houston is out now.

The record kicks off with the title track. Written by Cartwright with Brandon Hood and Billy Montana, the rock-heavy tune explores the nuances of lust and love. The single showcases the gritty side of the country singer’s persona.

Next up is “Breaking Every Heart In Texas.” The touching slow-burn shows off the vulnerable side of the singer. Similar topically to “Marry Me” by Thomas Rhett, the song emotes the hard-to-explain feeling of watching someone you are in love with, marry someone else. The storytelling song is one of the best on the record.

“She’s breakin’ every heart in Texas // Leavin’ behind a bunch of could’ve-been should’ve-been’s // As her daddy gives her hand away // From Amarillo down to Galveston Bay // She’s makin’ all them cowboys jealous // Wishin’ they could hear her say, “I do” in his shoes // But they all try to force a smile // She don’t know it walkin’ down the aisle // She’s breakin’ every heart in Texas”

Cartwright continues to firmly plant his feet in vulnerability and honesty on the next track. “God is Good” sings about life and faith on this stellar new song. His vocals shine on the heartfelt tune that is a true ode to a friend who is battling an illness, while remaining steadfast in his faith. This song is one anyone can relate to, regardless of your relationship with God.

On the other hand, “Hammer” leans into the more gritty side of the singer-songwriter. The imagery the song conveys is what makes this break-up track so intoxicating. Cartwright shows off his present and his readiness for the live show on this absolute jam.

Finally, the record ends with Cartwright’s “Shine On Me.” The single is the autobiographical song on the new EP. It is clear that the entertainer has always been just a kid with a big dream. As a listener, it is inspiring to listen to Cartwright convey his story, his heart, and his journey on this catchy and heart-filled song.

“Cause if it happened for Waylon // Willie and the king // One of these days // Luck’s gonna shine a little light on me // It’s gonna shine on me // Yeah, I know it’s gonna shine on me // It’s gonna shine on me // Yeah, I know it’s gonna shine on me”
Overall, Halfway to Houston is an EP you are going to want to listen to. It is the perfect introduction to all of the talent Cartwright has to offer, while keeping you invested for much more in the future!

Halfway To Houston EP Tracklist

  1. Halfway To Houston (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
  2. Breaking Every Heart In Texas (Brett Tyler, Wynn Varble, Jeff Outlaw, Troy Cartwright)
  3. God Is Good (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
  4. Hammer (Troy Cartwright, Brandon Hood, Billy Montana)
  5. Shine On Me (Nolan Sipe, Ben Caver, Troy Cartwright)
Troy Cartwright's debut EP 'Halfway To Houston' is out now, October 14th.

Troy Cartwright’s debut EP ‘Halfway To Houston’ is out now, October 14th.

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

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

Halfway To Houston 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.