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Conner Smith ‘The Storyteller’ – EP Review

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Conner Smith’s new project, The Storyteller EP is out now, October 4th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

Just eight months ago, rising country star, Conner Smith, released his debut album Smoky Mountains, a reflective ode to his home state of Tennessee. The 24-year-old quickly returns with five brand-new tracks for fans to enjoy. The name of the EP is fitting—all five songs portray vastly different stories. The title track opens the project and reminds listeners that everyone—no matter your fame, money, or occupation—has a unique story to tell. This tune is unique in itself because it does not follow the standard template; it just has three exclusive verses.  

“Shakespeare wrote the plays // And Van Gogh did it with paint // And Granddad did it working on the lines // Yeah, that’s a storyteller”

While the first song offers a western vibe, track 2, “Nostalgia,” beautifully blends bluegrass with the modern stylings of today’s music. Smith describes a common theme in country—two young optimists who think their summer fling is strong enough to span 2,000 miles. The third song, a Smith solo write, depicts the life of an everyday farmer and the hardships he goes through just to make ends meet. In this humbling tune, the singer cites that rain and hard work help grow the crops, but prayer is the main force that supports him and his family. 

“Because he knows you gotta work hard but pray even harder // He just wants to hand out a good life to his son and daughter // Yeah you can learn a lot about faith from a farmer”

In the most upbeat tune on the record, “Rollin’ Down the Road” is about the joy of living life as a touring artist. Cleto Cordero, who has three co-writes on this project, provides his twangy vocals on the second verse and chorus. Although it’s not the life his mother wished for and he frequently wakes up with hangovers, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’re just rollin’ down the road, me and my best friends // Livin’ out a dream with a suitcase in my hand // Just outlaw livin’, country song pickin’ // All green lights on the life we’re livin’ // Rollin’”

The closing track, “The Garden,” is mellow tune about slowing life down and taking in its simple pleasures; the exact opposite of the previous song. In the bridge, he states “ain’t no use in climbing mountains, just to come back down again.” The contrast of these two tracks signifies the true meaning of the record—whether you’re a gardener or selling out venues, everyone is still a storyteller. 

“I think for better or worse, my natural state as a songwriter is thinking deeply on big picture themes and the captivating power of stories,” Smith shared in a press release. “It’s amazing to think about how stories can really move people and I’ve always been fascinated with how to do that through music, ever since I was a little kid writing songs. The Storyteller feels like a rare creative moment that I wanted to capture by telling stories in a cool way.”

Smith will showcase these songs on his corresponding tour this fall, which kicks off this Sunday in Utah. For tickets, head to his website.

The Storyteller Track List:

  1. The Storyteller – (Conner Smith, Dwight Baker, Cleto Cordero)
  2. Nostalgia – (Conner Smith, Dwight Baker)
  3. Faith From A Farmer – (Conner Smith)
  4. Rollin’ Down The Road (featuring Cleto Cordero) – (Conner Smith, Dwight Baker, Cleto Cordero)
  5. The Garden – (Conner Smith, Dwight Baker, Cleto Cordero)
Conner-smith-the-storyteller-ep

Conner Smith shares new EP, ‘The Storyteller,’ 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 Conner Smith releases.

To keep up with Conner Smith, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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

Nate Smith: ‘California Gold’ – Album Review

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Nate Smith shares brand new album California Gold, officially out now, October 4th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

Sony Music Nashville’s Nate Smith has already notched an impressive three #1 singles and scored an ACM for New Male Artist of the Year. Now, the rising country superstar is back with his sophomore album, California Gold.

On the sixteen track collection, the California native explores new yet familiar sounds, which he describes as “nostalgic” but with “modern country context.” In fact, much of the album is inspired by and takes cues from some of the biggest pop-rock bands from the early 2000’s, including Lifehouse, 3 Doors Down, and the Goo Goo Dolls.

That influence is heavily felt throughout the LP, weaving its way through many of the anthemic tracks, where his voice sounds perfectly at home. Songs such as the album opener “Fix What You Didn’t Break,” “Want Me Back,” “Perfect,” and “I Wish I Never Felt” find Smith firmly settled into that radio-friendly country-rock lane.

Of “Fix,” Smith says, “I’ve always been a huge fan of big epic pop-rock songs of the 2000s…to me, [it] feels like the perfect blend of 2000s rock and heartfelt country. I want to make love songs that cut deep but are still tough. I teamed up with the same crew that wrote ‘World On Fire’ with me: Ashley Gorley, Lindsay Rimes and Taylor Philips. This is easily one of my favorites that I’ve released. It’s a bit of a theme song for this new project.”

Likewise, “Want Me Back” is a driving and catchy uptempo that’s absolutely perfect for radio as he grapples with the aftermath of a woman who’s changed everything about him. “As I miss who I was baby, I want me back,” He muses.

That same early 2000’s pop influence can be heard most noticeably on “Can You Die From a Broken Heart,” which finds him trading verses with pop-punk icon and frequent collaborator, Avril Lavigne. “‘Can You Die From A Broken Heart’ is the epitome of what a heartbreak ballad should feel and sound like,” Smith says.  “The bridge is my favorite part of the song because it’s so epic with the soaring ‘ohs’ and feels like it gives the slightest nod to ‘I’m With You’, which happens to be my favorite Avril song. I think this song will touch hearts in a deep and meaningful way.”

Smith grapples with heartbreak on tracks like “I Wish I Never Felt,” “Faith,” and “Gave It All.” While “I Wish” finds him regretting a relationship due to the heartbreak it led to, “Gave” is a thumping dance-inspired track about giving all to a relationship that just didn’t work out. “Faith” finds him stretching his voice into a powerful growl, cleverly turning lyrics into a double meaning as he sings, “I lost Hope on a Friday night, watched her walk away under neon lights, I found Grace almost made her mine, had to cut her off at closing time… Everything changed as soon as you told me your name, tonight I need a little Faith.”

The California native has a voice that truly shines on ballads, including the powerfully building “Carry You Home” which finds him jumping headfirst into a new relationship, in the hopes that a drunken one night stand will turn into much more if they decide to slow things down the morning after. “Not Of This Earth” is an ethereal and lush love song about a love that’s so great it transcends the natural world, while “Bittersweet” finds him channeling his inner Teddy Swims over mournful piano and strings. Here, he’s lost between love and hate, his raspy voice emoting “The last line of the song of you and me is always gonna be bittersweet.”

The album’s title track is one of the most unique on the album, a sonic detour into a lush and Laurel Canyon-inspired ode to growing up in California. Inspired by a text conversation with a friend, the phrase “California Gold” immediately evoked memories of life in the Golden State, musing, “You can’t put a price on the good times that never get old, California gold.”

While Nate Smith dabbles in new sounds throughout his sophomore album, his voice and style find him at home in whatever he does, and California Gold is truly Nashville gold.

California Gold Track List:

  1. Fix What You Didn’t Break
  2. Want Me Back
  3. What Alone Looks Like
  4. Can You Die From A Broken Heart (with Avril Lavigne)
  5. Perfect
  6. Carry You Home
  7. Goodbye Again
  8. Not Of This Earth
  9. Wish I Never Felt
  10. Faith
  11. Bittersweet
  12. Gave It All
  13. Hurtless
  14. Bulletproof
  15. California Gold
  16. I Like It (with Alesso)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Fix What You Didn’t Break
  2. Want Me Back
  3. Can You Die from a Broken Heart
  4. Carry You Home
  5. California Gold
nate-smith-california-gold

Nate Smith shares new album, ‘California Gold,’ 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 Nate Smith releases.

To keep up with the rising star, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

California Gold 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.

who-is-drew-baldridge

Who is Drew Baldridge? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

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Drew Baldridge // Photo credit: Russ Harrington

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Drew Baldridge
Birthdate – July 29th
Hometown – Patoka, Illinois
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Trace Adkins, Brooks and Dunn, Josh Turner
Label – Lyric Ridge Records
Current Single – “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” (as of date of article 9/30/24)

The Beginning:

This week, we chatted with singer-songwriter Drew Baldridge about all he has endured in the music industry over his decade long career in country music. Baldridge shared his story in a relatable and inspiring way. Keep reading to learn more.

“I grew up in a little town called Patoka, Illinois in Southern Illinois [on a farm],” began the singer. “I grew up playing in church and took piano lessons when I was really young and picked up guitar when I was sixteen, got hooked, and started playing at all the local bars around my hometown.”

Because of his country lifestyle, Baldridge naturally gravitated towards both gospel music and country music. When it comes to country music, the singer recalls feeling seen by the artists of his generation. Some of his first loves were artists like Alabama and Josh Turner.

“I lived country music songs everyday, and I didn’t really realize it, but I loved listening to it because they were songs about me, songs about where I came from. I didn’t realize it, but when I started writing songs that’s kind of what came out, songs about my little town, songs about the heartbreak I was going through, songs about the backroads, all that stuff.”

The Turning Point:

Upon graduating high school, at just nineteen years old, Baldridge made the move to Nashville, Tennessee. Almost instantly, the singer hit the ground running, performing at bars on Broadway like Tootsie’s. In 2012, the singer earned his first publishing deal, which catapulted into more fans and eventually a record deal.

“I started touring all around the country, and then around 2015, 2016 we signed our first record deal, and I thought I made it. […] Then we put out a couple of songs and none of them really took to radio. Couldn’t get anything up the charts, and it was disheartening to say the least,” shared Baldridge candidly about this journey.

Later, in 2019, the singer put out a batch of songs, including one which he sent to radio. “We put out a song to radio, and I thought it was going to be it. […] My label closed down 3 months later, and I thought ‘Man, I’m going to hop right into a new record deal,’ but that wasn’t really my story, no one was interested in signing me, and then COVID hit, and I was one of those artists that was viewed as one who had a shot, but it didn’t work out.”

Despite the hardships, Baldridge’s journey of perseverance continued. “2020 was a hard year because I lost pretty much everything in that time, and I didn’t know what to do. I had this song in 2019 called “Senior Year,” and suddenly all these Senior high school kids around the country started using the song in their TikTok’s. I thought I had to do something.”

The singer began offering Zoom concerts to anyone who wanted them for the class of 2020 graduates. This catapulted into being invited to play by schools in person for social-distancing events, as well as, radio picking up his song “Senior Year.”

Despite this success, Baldridge still was not making a living from music. He decided to put out a video offering to play a show in anyone’s backyard. “I thought I’d get five or ten shows, but we ended up getting 20 something thousand messages, so I went around the country for two or three years, and played in over 300 people’s backyards, just me and a guitar.

During all that time, Baldridge was posting on social media. “I ended up getting married, and I had this song called “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” and it was my wife’s favorite, so I made a wedding version just so she could dance to it with her dad on our wedding night,” he shared Adding, “We went on our honeymoon. And I woke up the next day with over ten million views on the song.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” is officially the first country song put out by an independent artist to hit the top spot on the country radio charts. By believing in himself, creating his own record label, and hiring staff, the singer-songwriter was able to accomplish something incredible with an incredible song.

“I’m overwhelmed and incredibly honored that ‘She’s Somebody’s Daughter’ has reached No. 1. on country radio,” he shard in a press release. “I wrote this song six years ago and though I always dreamed we would get to this point, it felt so far away. In my heart, I knew ‘Daughter’ was special, and just needed the right team to help me share it with country radio and fans everywhere. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me and believed in me over the years. This is truly the best day.”

Heading into the rest of this year, Baldridge has a ton of tour dates and more music coming down the pipeline, as long as fans continue to want them. “I try to put out real songs, and it’s been fun over the last couple of years to be able to be myself and not have to put on any different face,” shared the singer.

Stay tuned for more music and checkout the tour dates 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 Drew Baldridge releases.

To keep up with Drew Baldridge, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

Drew Baldridge’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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Brett Young Shares New Song “Say Less” Out Now

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Brett Young shares new track, “Say Less,” out now, September 27th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new song below.

Brett Young is one of those artists in country music who can do no wrong. Every song he releases feels distinctly him, and typically touches the heartstrings of all his fans. Today, Young releases a flirty new song cleverly titled, “Say Less.”

Young’s smooth and alluring vocals are top notch on this new track. “Say Less” encapsulates how it feels to be in a healthy relationship, where two people know exactly what the other person wants and needs. It feels current, romantic, and fun to listen to, as the lyrics capture exactly what true love feels like. Written by Young alongside incredible collaborators,  Ben Caver and Justin Ebach, “Say Less” fits the format of previously released songs, that seem to work again and again for the team

“I know we got plans to go out tonight // But you’re giving me some pretty strong stay-in vibes // You ain’t gotta beg, baby save your breath // say less // You already poured me whiskey, got me tipsy, leaned in to kiss me // whispered in my ear, kinda quiet // Maybe we should kill the lights yeah // Whatever you want tonight // I’ll do it // You ain’t gotta talk // just walk me through it // It ain’t even fair the way that you’re wearing that black dress // girl, I confess”

We are excited to see what Young has in store next for his fans. We can only hope that “Say Less” is the start of more music to come soon!

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Brett Young shares new song, “Say Less,” 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 Brett Young releases.

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

“Say Less” 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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Conner Smith Embarks on New Music Era with New Song “The Storyteller”

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Conner Smith shares new track, “The Storyteller,” out now, September 27th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new song below.

Conner Smith is one of the most exciting artists in country music right now. The singer-songwriter is a true artist in every sense of the word. As he embarks on his next chapter in his career, Smith surprised fans with a new EP coming on October 4th. Today, Smith gives fans a taste of the new project with the title track, “The Storyteller.”

The new song, “The Storyteller” is a true work of art. Smith and his co-writers, Dwight Baker and Flatland Cavalry’s, Cleto Cordero capture the essence of what it means to leave your mark on the world. Some people do it through songs, some people do it through manual labor, and others create visual art. No matter what the medium is, it all tells a story.

According to Smith that exactly the sentiment this song and the upcoming project embodies. “I think for better or worse, my natural state as a songwriter is thinking deeply on big picture themes and the captivating power of stories. It’s amazing to think about how stories can really move people and I’ve always been fascinated with how to do that through music, ever since I was a little kid writing songs. The Storyteller feels like a rare creative moment that I wanted to capture by telling stories in a cool way.”

“From the start of time // How God designed to leave that empty space // For every man alive // To try to find some meaning in the blanks // Shakespeare wrote the plays // And Van Gogh did it with paint // And Granddad did it working on the lines // Yeah, that’s a storyteller // A damn good storyteller”

Stay tuned for The Storyteller, the project coming next week!

Conner-smith-the-storyteller

Conner Smith’s new single, “The Storyteller” is out now on all streaming platforms.

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

To keep up with Conner Smith, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

“The Storyteller” 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.

Dylan Marlowe: ‘Mid-Twenties Crisis’ – Debut Album Review

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Dylan Marlowe’s debut album, Mid-Twenties Crisis is out now, September 27th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

For rising country star Dylan Marlowe, his debut album Mid-Twenties Crisis, represents a snapshot of his life at a very specific point in time. On his first full-length with Sony Music Nashville, the Georgia native shares fifteen new tracks detailing life in his mid-twenties.

“Mid-Twenties Crisis is a record I wrote in my mid-twenties, really over the last two or three years,” shares Marlowe. “There’s a bunch of songs that are going to be fun to play live. I also thought it was really important to make sure I had some deeper lyrics as well. ‘Mid-Twenties Crisis’ was actually the last song to make the record. I’m so proud of that song—it’s kind of vulnerable but I hope y’all can relate and that you love the record.”  

Featuring Side A and Side B, the new collection is entirely written or co-written by Marlowe, who enlisted Seth Ennis, Jordan Minton, Trannie Anderson, and many more to add their talents.

The result is a solid body of anthemic country mixed with softer and more vulnerable moments, including the poignant and relatable title track.

“I’m the only one of my friends without a car seat // Sitting in the backseat of my truck // And lately I’ve been further from Jesus than I’ve ever been // But I swear that I’m trying to patch things up,” He muses, heart on his sleeve. “I think I’m going through a mid-twenties crisis // I’m 27 and it feels like my life is // Flying by and I don’t know where the time has gone // And I still can’t tell if I’m one step ahead or one step behind // Everybody’s telling me that I’ll be alright // So, maybe my thirties are the silver lining// But right now, it feels like a mid-twenties crisis”

Collaborations also provide great moments on the LP, including “Stick to My Guns,” featuring Riley Green, and “Boys Back Home” with Dylan Scott. The latter finds him out on the road, missing his friends. “I wrote ‘Boys Back Home’ with Joe Fox and Seth Ennis because I got homesick when I moved to Nashville and missed all of my friends back home,” Marlowe shared. “Dylan Scott took me on my first tour and I ended up showing him the song on the road. He loved it and I ended up asking him to sing on it with me. A year and a half in the making and I’m excited for the fans to finally have it!”

Likewise, “Stick to My Guns” is a clear standout, as the pair celebrate their upbringings and their beliefs, proclaiming that they’re not about to change for anyone. “Where I stick to these boots I’m putting down // Stick to this cross around my neck // Stick to these roots stuck in the ground // Way I was raised ain’t let me down yet // In a world that’s changing // I sure as hell ain’t, son // So, I’ll sit right here with a rifle and a beer ‘til the good Lord comes // And stick to my guns”

Anthemic, pop-rock tinted country is prevalent on the album, ripe for a live show in the form of the earwormy “Heaven’s Sake,” “I Never Miss,” “Heart Brakes,” and “Bat Outta Hell (With a Boat on the Back).” The album’s opener is especially bombastic, immediately garnering your attention, while “Heart Brakes” is a catchy single-ready ode to making bad decisions with one’s heart.

Matters of the heart are a common theme throughout the collection, as Marlowe finds himself broken and downtrodden on songs like “Hungover in a Deer Stand,” “Hang It Up,” and “Devil On My Shoulder.” Of “Devil,” he says  “I had the idea of ‘devil on my shoulder.’ We wanted to find a different angle with the phrase so the song talks about how sometimes you can try everything you can to get over somebody, but you still can’t at the end of the day. I think it’s a fun song and I hope y’all enjoy it.”  

Meanwhile, Marlowe’s country boy sensibilities inhabit almost every song, as he dabbles in hunting, fishing, and all the things that make country life great. “Deer on the Wall” finds him humorlessly dealing with cohabitating, agreeing to pillows in every room and giving up every drawer to keep his prized deer on the wall. Meanwhile, “You Did It Too” celebrates the way he was raised and the fact that it can only be understood by those who did it too.

The album ends with the sparse and powerful “The Fence,” which finds Marlowe thankful for someone who stopped him in his tracks, fencing him in when he needed it most. While it may seem like an unusual metaphor, it works flawlessly, proving the skill of the singer-songwriter as a lyricist and storyteller.

“I was hell on wheels // You were heaven sent // I wasn’t no good deal // You didn’t mind a bit // You stopped me // You caught me // Roped all my crazy in // I was a tumbleweed just blowin’ in the wind // Thank God, girl That you were the fence”

For Dylan Marlowe, Mid-Twenties Crisis represents a young singer-songwriter coming of age, grappling with his identity and his upbringing, falling in and out of love, and singing songs about all of the above.

Mid Twenties Crisis Track List:

Side A:

  1. Heaven’s Sake (Dylan Marlowe / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
  2. Deer on the Wall (Dylan Marlowe / Zach Abend / Seth Ennis)
  3. Mid-Twenties Crisis (Dylan Marlowe)
  4. Heart Brakes  (Dylan Marlowe / Jordan Minton / Lindsay Rimes)
  5. Stick to My Guns (feat. Riley Green) (Dylan Marlowe / Benjy Davis / Abram Dean / Joe Fox / Reid Isbell)
  6. Hungover in a Deer Stand (Dylan Marlowe / Trannie Anderson / Ryan Beaver / David Garcia)
  7. Hang It Up (Dylan Marlowe / Tyler Chambers)

Side B:

  1. Shop Radio (Dylan Marlowe / Tyler Chambers / Johnny McGuire)
  2. Devil on My Shoulder (Dylan Marlowe / Beau Bailey / Rocky Block / Kyle Fishman)
  3. I Never Miss (Dylan Marlowe / Rocky Block / Mark Holman / Blake Pendergrass)
  4. There Goes That (Dylan Marlowe / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
  5. Boys Back Home (feat. Dylan Scott) (Dylan Marlowe / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
  6. You Did It Too (Dylan Marlowe / Dallas Davidson / Joe Fox)
  7. Bat Outta Hell (With a Boat on the Back) (Dylan Marlowe / Jessie Jo Dillon / Kyle Fishman)
  8. The Fence (Dylan Marlowe / Jimi Bell / Tyler Chambers / Benjy Davis / Seth Ennis / Mikey Reeves)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Heart Brakes
  2. Stick to My Guns (with Riley Green)
  3. I Never Miss
Dylan-marlowe-debut-album

Dylan Marlowe shares debut album, ‘Mid-Twenties Crisis,’ 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 Marlowe releases.

For tour dates and more, visit Marlowe’s official website here.

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

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

Here Is Logan Crosby’s Debut Album ‘2019”

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Logan Crosby’s debut album, 2019 is out now, September 27th on all streaming platforms. Learn more here and listen below.

Since Logan Crosby appeared on the country music scene, fans have been flocking to him in droves. His unique sound and charisma is evident in every one of his releases. Today, Crosby shares his debut album, titled 2019. Each of the thirteen songs take listeners through his journey so far.

In a recent press release the singer-songwriter shared, “When you listen to me, I want to take you back to the first time you got your heart broken or fell in love. Other songs might make you want to party. I’m the same guy who was holding a guitar at three-years-old. Whether I’m playing a dive bar or an arena, I’m going to share stories and maybe make you laugh too.”

2019 is an impressive debut release for Crosby. The album gives fans a taste of what is to come in his robust career. Listen to the thirteen songs below!

2019 Track List:

  1. 2019
  2. You’re Still
  3. Polaroid Picture
  4. Love Like That Again
  5. Girl Next Door
  6. Please Don’t Say Atlanta
  7. Look Who’s Lonely Now
  8. But I Do
  9. I’ll Write A Song
  10. Ain’t No Georgia
  11. Forever For A While
  12. Roots
  13. Seasons
Logan-crosby-2019

Logan Crosby shares his debut album, ‘2019,’ 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 Logan Crosby releases.

To keep up with Logan Crosby, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

2019 is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music 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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Luke Bryan: ‘Mind of a Country Boy’ – Album Review

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Luke Bryan’s new album, Mind of a Country Boy is out now, September 27th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

There’s just something comfortable and familiar about Luke Bryan. Whether he’s singing about how “Rain is a Good Thing,” asking someone to “Play It Again,” or letting us know that “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” his voice and style are immediately recognizable. Now, seventeen years into his storied career, the Georgia native is back with his newest album, Mind Of a Country Boy.

The fourteen track collection marks his first full-length LP since 2020’s Born Here Live Here Die Here, and truly finds him returning to his roots. Produced by the father-son team of Jeff and Jody Stevens, the album also includes tracks from frequent collaborators including Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Rodney Clawson, Ben Hayslip, and more.

“I’ve been able to take my time and really compile songs,” Bryan says of the new release. “If it’s a song that I cut two or three years ago, and I still love it, and it still sounds fresh, then I feel like it’ll stand the test of time. I think this album, as I’ve tried to do with all my albums, has a little bit of everything.” 

While the album does find the hitmaker exploring a range of songs and emotions, it’s truly Luke Bryan at his finest. On Mind of a Country Boy, the superstar is both bigger than life yet approachable, down to earth yet extraordinary, and remorseful yet romantic.

Opening with the twangy, banjo-laden title track, the Georgia native immediately launches into a catchy mid tempo celebration of all of the great sides of country living. “There are a lot of references in there that your common person might be like, ‘What’s he talking about,” Bryan says of the song. “I think when I can start talking about these really specific phrases and references in the song, it validates me being a country boy…It sounds like truly what goes on in the mind of a country boy.”  

Similarly, songs like “But I Got a Beer In My Hand” and “Country On” are pure Bryan. While “County On” marks his 30th #1 hit, finds him raising a glass to patriotism, hometowns, and the blue collar workers that are the backbone of society, “Beer in My Hand” also finds him raising a glass, this time to a liquid mood enhancer that can’t be dulled.

“But I got a beer in my hand, and I got it raised up high // I ain’t got a give in my damn right, I can do this all night // Country done came to town, this town don’t stand a chance // I’ll holler at the ladies, dancin’ like crazy, new Luccheses, fresh up out the deer stand // Feelin’ this high, wasn’t part of my plan // Wasn’t even gonna try // But I got a beer in my hand”

While he can party with the best of them, Bryan has always set himself apart on ballads, as is the case with the stunning “Kansas,” which finds him pledging to make all of a woman’s dreams come true.  “I don’t know what love is, don’t understand it,” He admits. “But if it’s a wheat field, I’ll give you Kansas.”

Meanwhile, “Love You Miss You Mean It” has become one of the biggest songs of his career, mixing powerhouse vocals with personal connection. “This one feels like one of the bigger up-tempo things I’ve had,” he reveals. “I look back on my career of 30 No. 1 songs, and I know that not every song is everyone’s favorite. As an artist, I think you have got to try new things and veer off the common path. Then you go back to the roots and what got you there, and I certainly think ‘Love You, Miss You, Mean It’ is a classic song for me my fans respond to.”  

The country superstar shines in his vulnerability, embracing it on tracks like “Pair of Boots” and the album’s final track, “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids.” On the former, which is the quintessential country ballad, he embraces fatherhood and the impact that a simple pair of cowboy boots can have on a young man, while the latter is a gorgeous and prayerful love letter that finds him pleading with God to protect his children as they grow and move on. “I used to talk to my kids about Jesus, The same way that my mom and daddy did,” He sings, voice laced with emotion. “I used to talk to my kids about Jesus, Now I talk to Jesus ‘bout my kids.”

“Slow and Southern” provides a moment of clever lyrical-to-melodic juxtaposition, as he desires to slow things down over driving guitars and a roaring uptempo. Likewise, “I’m On a Tractor” returns him to his roots, finding him alone with God as he overlooks the field from a unique vantage point.

“Country Song Came On,” “She’s Still Got It” and “Closing Time in California” allow Bryan to stretch himself vocally and sonically, with “Closing Time” finding him sliding into his rarely utilized falsetto as he implores someone to come back or let him go. Likewise, “For the Kids” is a heartbreaking reminder of the changes that often come in relationships as a couple grapples with the desperation of reaching a pivotal point in their relationship.

“For the kids I go to work // You stay at home // Do what we do just to get through and watch them grow // We fill this house with love // But somehow lose it between us // We swore we’d never end up like this // Married for the kids“

“I think as you grow older and mature, subject matters change, and things that you can sing about change,” Bryan says of the fourteen track collection. “But the love of trying to find the right song and a song that moves people is still at the forefront of what I want to do as an artist. It’s trying not to be overly redundant with songs. I think that’s why I’ve been blessed to have a long career and what I feel like this album’s going to do.” 

With a goal of moving people with his music, Luke Bryan carefully curated the tracks on Mind Of a Country Boy, and with songs like “Kansas,” “Closing Time in California,” and “For the Kids,” it’s easy to declare that musical mission accomplished.

Mind of a Country Boy Track List:

  1. Mind Of A Country Boy (Luke Bryan, Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins)
  2. Love You, Miss You, Mean It (Ben Hayslip, Jacob Rice, Jordan Minton, Rhett Akins)
  3. Country Song Came On (Ryan Beaver, Dan Alley, Neil Medley)
  4. Pair Of Boots (Bobby Pinson, Taylor Phillips, Tofer Brown, Jaxon Free)
  5. But I Got A Beer In My Hand (Chase McGill, Matt Dragstrem, Geoff Warburton)
  6. Kansas (Chase McGill, Hillary Lindsey, Matt Dragstrem)
  7. Country On”(Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, Styles Haury)
  8. Fish On The Wall (Dallas Davidson, Chris Tompkins, Ben Johnson)
  9. She’s Still Got It (Rodney Clawson, Heather Morgan, Will Bundy, Jim McCormick)
  10. Closing Time In California (John Byron, Mark Holman, Hillary Lindsey, Chase McGill)
  11. For The Kids (Luke Bryan, Justin Ebach, Brad Tursi)
  12. Southern and Slow (Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson, Chase McGill)13. 
  13. I’m On A Tractor (Neil Thrasher, Lee Thomas Miller)
  14. Jesus ‘Bout My Kids (Jeff Hyde, Tucker Beathard, Ben Stennis, Brad Rempel)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Kansas
  2. But I Got a Beer In My Hand
  3. Country Song Came On
  4. Pair of Boots
  5. For the Kids
Luke-bryan-album-country-boy

Luke Bryan shares new album, ‘Mind of a Country Boy,’ 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 Luke Bryan releases.

For tour dates and more, visit Bryan’s official website here. 

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

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

dylan-schneider-album

Here Is Dylan Schneider’s Debut Album ‘PUZZLED’

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Dylan Schneider’s debut album, PUZZLED is out now, September 27th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville signee, Dylan Schneider makes his album debut today. Schneider is an incredibly talented singer-songwriter. Today, Schneider releases his debut album, PUZZLED filled with sixteen incredible songs, all co-written or written by the singer.

“I’ve been working towards this debut album for my entire career,” shared the recording artist in a recent press release “I can’t believe it’s finally here! I have worked so hard on these songs and believe this album truly shows who I am, where I’ve been and where I’m going, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction to it out on the road.”
Listen to the brand new project below!

PUZZLED Crisis Track List:

  1. Carhartt (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust)
  2. Country Right (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust, Jaxson Free, Taylor Phillips)
  3. Without June (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust, Micah Carpenter)
  4. Bad Decisions (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust, Jacob Hackworth)*
  5. Here Comes The Sun (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust, Steph Jones)
  6. Bad At Breaking Up (Dylan Schneider, Zach Abend, Thomas Archer, Michael Tyler)
  7. Ain’t Missin’ You (Dylan Schneider, Lalo Guzman, Brett Tyler)+
  8. Truck I Grew Up In (Dylan Schneider, Lalo Guzman, Josh Phillips, Joshua Dorr)
  9. Buy That Girl A Beer (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust)
  10. Ruin This Town (Dylan Schneider, Zachary Kale, Lindsay Rimes)
  11. Put The Whiskey Away (Dylan Schneider, Lalo Guzman, Thomas Archer)
  12. Gone Is What I Get (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust, Russell Sutton, Jaxson Free, Jacob Hackworth)
  13. Momma’s House (Dylan Schneider, Justin Wilson, Michael Lotten, Rodney Clawson)
  14. Better Than You Left Me (Dylan Schneider, Lalo Guzman, Michael Tyler, Brett Tyler)
  15. Daddy Drinks Whiskey (Dylan Schneider, Gabe Foust, Nate Kenyon)
  16. Puzzled (Dylan Schneider)
Dylan-schenider-debut-album

Dylan Schneider’s debut album, ‘PUZZLED’ is out now on all streaming platforms.

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

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

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

who-is-ian-flanigan

Who is Ian Flanigan? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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

who-is-ian-flanigan

Ian Flanigan

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Ian Flanigan
Birthdate – 09/11/1989
Hometown – Saugerties, New York
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Tommy Emanuel, Blaze Foley, Jason Isbell, John Mayer, Willie Nelson
Label – Reviver Records
Current Single – “What’s Love Got To Do With It” (as of date of article 9/23/24)

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on incredible singer-songwriter and New York native, Ian Flanigan. We chatted with the singer about his love of music, The Voice, and where he is now. Keep reading to learn more.

“I grew up in upstate New York. I really didn’t come from a musical family, but my mom and I, we would always make songs together as a kid, and by the time I was ten, I got my first guitar,” began Flanigan. Unlike many people’s upbringing, art and music were considered a viable career option in the community he grew up in.

“I pretty much committed to being a songwriter at a really, really young age. When I was twelve, I met one of my dad’s army buddies, and he got me started in bluegrass. He was a banjo player and really for me, coming from that upstate area, there’s a really big music scene, and it’s really diverse. I’m from an area that really supports the artistic journey.”

Throughout his upbringing, Flanigan was exposed to many different types of music, including Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, and local artists like the Paul Luke Band, which he grew to love. “I try to incorporate little pieces of every genre and capture it in my own writing,” shared the singer, who eventually told his mom that he was going to cut his teeth in the music scene. “I remember telling my mom that I was going to go live in a van on the road indefinitely, and she was like “it’s such beautiful thing, have a great time.””

The Turning Point:

At just seventeen years old, Flanigan began touring. “I grew up with some musical mentors that the old school method was go live somewhere for a year, saturate that market and play everywhere, and then move to another city or state, and kind of repeat it for the next thirty years, so I had been doing that to the best to my ability.”

For years, Flanigan fine-tuned his songwriting and played gigs across the United States, garnering loyal fans along the way. When he turned 27, he sold everything he owned and moved into a Winnebago to commit even more to his dreams and tour the country at the same time.

During that stint in his life, he found himself near Nashville, Tennessee, where he was slated to play at a random open mic night. “ I rolled through Nashville during COVID, I think during 2019, and one of my last gigs, was just a random open mic at the Mercy Lounge, and at the open mic was a scouting opportunity for The Voice, and that’s where they asked me to be part of the show. I was literally just out in the world, and I had all my gigs canceled because of COVID, and that’s how I got on the show, my last gig, last dollar ended up being a scouting opportunity.”

As fate would have it, that random gig turned into a spot on The Voice, and eventually even a spot in The Voice finale. “I was fortunate enough to meet Blake [Shelton.] He was a really great mentor on the show. […] I really treated it like a giant learning opportunity, and I was fortunate enough to find myself in the finale, and after the show, that’s when I was reached out to by Reviver Records, and we ended up doing a single with Blake, and kind of went full throttle into making a record, doing some radio tour, and writing in Nashville.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Flanigan continues to make waves as a Reviver Records recording artist. The singer-songwriter is getting ready to release a brand new project, slated for release sometime this fall. Until then, fans can listen to his newest songs, such as “Rather Be Country” and his version of the classic Tina Turner song, “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”

“‘Rather Be Country’ is just a fun song. When I started writing it, I wanted to capture this scene in my mind from my early 20s, growing up, where we had this 10 acre plot of land at my grandparent’s place and it was just mayhem. We were able to literally do anything. […] We just had this real beautiful freedom on this land, and it probably kept us out of a lot of trouble. […] When I think back, it’s probably the only time we’ll ever have those unique, kind of nights together,” shared the singer.

On the other hand, Flanigan’s rendition of “What’s Love Got To Do With It” came when he found himself with leftover studio time. “We really got this kind of country, soul version of this song, and obviously Tina [Turner] is the greatest ever, and when you release a cover of someone so great, you just try to make it as unique as possible because you can’t compete with the original, so you just have to do your own thing and hope people really love it.”

Both songs showcase Flanigan’s undeniable talent; however, we are sure his upcoming record will up the ante. “We have twelve brand new songs, and there’s a lot of this record that is all different energies. […] A lot of this record is dedicated to my mother. I lost her last year, she passed away last October, and we wrote a few songs dedicated to her, and the whole project is kind of different perspectives and different songs and chapters of my life that has made me who I am and that’s why the album is titled ‘The Man My Mama Raised.’”

Stay tuned for more new music coming down the pipeline soon!

Connect:

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

To keep up with Ian Flanigan, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

Ian Flanigan’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.