Riley Green: ‘BEHIND THE BAR’ – EP Review

/in , , , /by

Riley Green’s new EP, BEHIND THE BAR, is out today, July 2nd on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

Riley Green has been busy during quarantine and since the release of IF IT WASN’T FOR TRUCKS. Over the last year, the singer-songwriter spent time reconnecting with his Alabama roots. The newfound connection is expressively clear on his new project. Green’s brand new EP BEHIND THE BAR is officially out for fans to enjoy.

The record kicks off with the title track. An upbeat and fun song, “Behind The Bar” is an ode to the good life. Green sings about country living, where everyone is drinking and having fun “under the neon stars.” The rowdy song will be the perfect addition to the singer’s setlist.

As the EP transitions, Green begins to pull back the layers, unveiling the life lessons he has learned to the listeners. “That’s What I’ve Been Told” is a simple, poetic country song. The singer shares all the lessons and experiences he has learned throughout his life from influential people through different stages.

“If you’re just saying prayers, then you ain’t praying // If both men ain’t shook hands, then it ain’t sold // When daddy don’t say nothing, you better listen // ‘Cause he won’t be here for long // and that girl ain’t coming back if you let her go // At least that’s what I’ve been told”

Next up is Green’s previously released single “If It Wasn’t For Trucks.” The nostalgic song is an appreciation for everything a truck symbolizes for a good-ole country boy. Without being generic, the singer finds a way to embody love, loss, grief, and risk, while using the common thread of having his truck through all of those emotions.

Continuing to showcase his undeniable talent, “Put ‘Em On Mine” showcases the more flirty and romantic side of the singer. Green flirts opportunity and a potential love interest on the sultry song. Similarly, sentimental and pure, “That Was Us” showcases the love of a place and a person. Green enlists the help of songstress Jessi Alexander, up-leveling the clever song to a duet. 

“Like a Tennessee river // A little reckless and a little hell bound // We were tailgate talking about forever // Like our boots would never hit the ground // At the end of that trail of tears and a cloud of dust // Baby, that was us”

The story-telling continues to be the center of the EP with the last two songs off the project. A fan-favorite, “I Let A Damn Good Woman Leave,” showcases Green lamenting about past mistakes in love and in life. Finally, the closing track “That’s My Dixie,” tackles the notion that although country music and country living is laced with prejudice and a checkered past. Green declares that that’s not the country-living he knows.

“It’s who I am // Mr. give a damn // For the ones that came before me // That broken part of a southern heart is more than just Old glory // It’s a star of mind that’s deep and wide and strong as the Mississippi // We sing Amazing Grace and curse the heat // Yeah, that’s my Dixie”

Overall the seven-song project cements Green’s staying power in country music. First and foremost, the artist is a storyteller and songwriter, the true essence of country music. Congrats to Green on a solid record!

Riley-Gren-New-EP-Cover

Riley Green’s new EP ‘Behind The Bar’ is out now, July 2nd

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “That’s What I’ve Been Told”
  2. “That’s My Dixie”
  3. “That Was Us”

BEHIND THE BAR EP Tracklist:

  1. Behind The Bar
  2. That’s What I’ve Been Told
  3. If It Wasn’t For Trucks
  4. Put ‘Em On Mine
  5. That Was Us
  6. I Let A Damn Good Woman Leave
  7. That’s My Dixie

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

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

BEHIND THE BAR EP 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.

LANCO: ‘HONKY-TONK HIPPIES’ – EP Review

/in , , , /by

LANCO’s new EP, HONKY-TONK HIPPIES, is out today, July 2nd on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

If there is anything fans should know about the men of LANCO, it is that they love nothing more than performing and recording music. Their new project HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP is the love child of those two priorities. As soon as it was safe, the singers headed to the FAME Studios to record these five songs that they feel fully embody the feeling of performing on stage. 

The record kicks off with the title track, a stage-ready hit. “Honky-Tonk Hippies” is groovy, fun, and an exciting sound for LANCO. The new song is gritty, swampy, and has that down-home energy that is hard not to fall in love with. It was clear the band was thinking of how fans would react to it when they wrote and recorded it.

The next song “Wild Again” is a different type of mood, but the energy is still evident. Although slower-paced, the track screams nostalgia. LANCO simultaneously reminisces on past memories, while also looking forward to the new moments. Clearly a quarantine-inspired track, the singers remind us all of our crazy-beautiful memories, while still, making us all look ahead to the wild memories we have yet to make.

“I’ve lived some life, but I think the best is yet to come // Make a quick stop at the Quickstop, grab a cold one // Cause tonight, yeah tonight // I’m going to call my baby and all my friends, tell them let’s get it started”

The vibe is continued with the next two songs “Moonlight Mingle” and “I Need A Beer.” Like the other songs on the record, both of these killer jams were tracked live to showcase the real energy of the band. The former is a dance-ready track, while the latter will put every listener into a party-ready mood. 

The record culminates with “Price to Pay,” an acoustic song. With simple vocal and guitar strumming, the song is mesmerizing. Of course, a minute in, the band layers all of their vocals in to add to the unique appeal. We bet that fans will be singing this song along with the group during their live shows!

“So you like all the songs on your country radio // If you want to sing along there’s some things you should know // May not be for all but if you want to call it the dream // There’s a different side of this life in the songs that we sing”

LANCO outdid themselves with HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP! The record is pure heart, fun, and joy. It is clear that the guys poured themselves into these five songs, and we can only imagine how much better it will all be in person during a live show! Congrats to the entertainers on an incredible project.

LANCO's new EP, 'Honky-Tonk Hippies' is out now, July 2nd

LANCO’s new EP, ‘Honky-Tonk Hippies’ is out now, July 2nd

HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP Tracklist:

  1. Honky-Tonk Hippies- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
  2. Wild Again- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Chandler Baldwin, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
  3. Moonlight Mingle- (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton & Tate Howell)
  4. I Need A Beer (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Jared Hampton, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)
  5. Price You Pay (Songwriters- Brandon Lancaster, Chandler Baldwin, Jared Hampton, Eric Steedly, Tripp Howell & Tate Howell)

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

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

HONKY-TONK HIPPIES EP 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.

Lindsay James Releases Brand New Summer Song “Behind”

/in , , /by

Lindsay James’ new summer song “Behind” is available now, July 2nd, on all streaming platforms. Check out the track below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

We love when artists reinvent themselves! Lindsay James, formally known as “LJ” did just that! The Texas-born singer came on our radar back in 2019, and we are thrilled to see that she is back to deliver even more enticing entertainment, under Homestead Music. Today, James releases her brand new summer-ready song “Behind.”

Similarly, like her Homestead Music predecessor, Sam Hunt, the songstress brings all the vibes. The song screams summer dreaming. It is catchy, funky, and just plain cool. The country-pop twist makes it even more fun to listen to. Co-written by the singer with Jared Scott, Luke Preston, and Sam Martinez, “Behind” is a song that reminds us all to leave the negative stuff in the past. This is the perfect message for all of us after a challenging 2020!

“What do you say we cut loose, somewhere with a beach view // Ready, set, go, hit the road // We can leave it all behind // Find some freedom on the tires, chasing telephone wires to a sunny state of mind // With our worries in the dust // Sipping cherry coke and rum under a calico sky”

Overall, James delivers an effortless vocal performance on this fun-loving jam. “Behind” is a great introduction to the singer for those who do not already know her and an even better reintroduction to those who do. It will be exciting to see what the singer-songwriter releases next!

Lindsay-James-new-summer-song-behind

Lindsay James’s new song “Behind” is available now, July 2nd

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

To keep up with Lindsay James, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Behind” 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.

Lauren Davidson Releases Brand New Song “Silver Linings”

/in , , /by

Lauren Davidson’s brand new song “Silver Linings” is available now, July 2nd, on all streaming platforms. Check out the track below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

One of our favorite local artists and friend of Country Swag, Lauren Davidson has officially released more new music. As we await her next EP, HINDSIGHT is 2020, the songstress continues to drop songs to keep us excited. Today she releases her brand new tune “Silver Linings.”

The new song is the fourth song off the upcoming project. So far, the singer released “Backfire,” “Thinking About You,” and “Live In The Light.” Davidson taps into her fun and optimistic side on the new jam. “Silver Linings” is the perfect song to inspire listeners as we all come out of this whirlwind of a year. It conveys the singer’s own experiences during the pandemic and the associated tribulations.

Lauren-Davidson-SIlver-Linings

Lauren Davidson’s new song “Silver Linings” is out now, July 2

“Find the good in every day // Get out of our own way // Let that sunshine in // and find those silver linings // Put some color in the grey // Look for love instead of hate”

Davidson is an artist that shares her truth in every song she debuts. She has a knack for writing and singing songs that make you feel and want to root for her. New Yorkers can catch the songstress at the Beach House in Long Beach on Wednesday, July 7th at 6PM as part of their Country Wednesdays Series. No tickets necessary, reservations are recommended.

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

To keep up with Lauren Davidson, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

“Silver Linings” 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.

Luke Combs Shares New Unreleased Song “Five-Leaf Clover”

/in , , , /by

Luke Combs shared a brand new unreleased song, “Five-Leaf Clover” with fans. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

It seems as though Luke Combs is always teasing new music. Combs is still riding the success of his ACM and CMA award-winning album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, and its single “Forever After All” recently going number one for the fifth straight week. Just the other day, he shared a brand new song “Good Old Days” with fans on social media. Now, he’s sharing another unreleased song called “Five-Leaf Clover.”

The new song feels exactly like the superstar we know and love. “Five-Leaf Clover” is another love letter to life Combs has created and a thank you to fans for believing in him. Throughout the verses, the singer-songwriter expresses all the things he is thankful for. It’s clear that despite his one-of-a-kind success, Combs will always remain as humble as can be.

“I make it home every evening // To an angel God sent from above // Got an 8 point on camera from last year // This season looks like a ten // Got a barn with a fridge full of cold beer / On the weekends it’s full of good friends”

We hope that more unreleased music is on the horizon from the singer, and we suspect that it is! Luke Combs is a megastar for a damn good reason!

Combs is headed out on the road this fall, with two nights at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City. For tickets, head to his website.

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

For the latest new country music tunes, follow our  ‘New Country Music’ playlist for your weekly new country music fix.

Luke Combs Shares Unreleased New Song “Good Old Days”

/in , , , /by

Luke Combs shared a brand new unreleased track, “Good Old Days” with fans. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the new music.

It seems as though Luke Combs is always teasing new music. Still riding the success of his ACM and CMA award-winning album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, with its single “Forever After All” recently going number one for the fifth straight week, he shared a new video of his latest song “Good Old Days”, building quite the unreleased catalog, along with “See Me Now,” and “Joe.”

“Good Old Days” is a simple, mid-tempo track in which Combs lists his favorite parts about his younger days, including small-town fairs and driving with your buddies in a truck. He brings the energy to the live performance, as his vocals shine behind the pounding drums and electric guitar when the chorus comes around.

“We were young, we were free // didn’t have a thing we didn’t need // We were wild, we were green // back when we knew everything // Back in the good old days”

Combs is headed out on the road this fall, with two nights at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City. For tickets, head to his website.

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

For the latest new country music tunes, follow our  ‘New Country Music’ playlist for your weekly new country music fix.

Luke-Combs-lyrics-captions-from-what-you-see-ain't- always-what-you-get-album

Here Are All of Luke Combs’ Number One Songs in His Catalog

/in , , /by

Check out our list of all of Luke Combs’ number one songs in his music catalog. The superstar already has seventeen hit singles to his name.

Luke Combs- Grand Ole Opry

Luke Combs – Grand Ole Opry

We love reminiscing about all the great country music over the last few years. In our brand new series, we decided it would be fun to look back at the songs that made it to the top of the country radio charts! Today, we’re highlighting the nineteenth songs in Luke Combs’ music catalog that hit the number one spot! Combs is one of the few artists to hit number one with each and every radio single so far!

“Hurricane”- This One’s For You

Luke Combs’ debut single, “Hurricane” is the song that put the singer on the map! Not only was it the singer-songwriter’s first number one, but it was also a multi-week hit. At the time, the song was the first country song, since 2012 to spend multiple weeks in the number one spot.

“When It Rains It Pours”- This One’s For You

Combs’ follow-up single was arguably the song that made him a household name. “When It Rains It Pours” even received a nomination for ‘Video of the Year’ at the 2018 CMT Music Awards.

 

“One Number Away”- This One’s For You

“One Number Away” marks the third song off Combs’ debut album to score the top spot on the country charts. The song remains a fan-favorite in the singer’s catalog of music.

 

“She Got the Best of Me”- This One’s For You Too

A bonus track off the re-released debut record, “She Got the Best of Me” also became a hit song. The track is a powerful ballad that reminds us of how incredible Combs’ vocals are. The music video for the hit also remains a fan-favorite.

“Beautiful Crazy”- This One’s For You Too

“Beautiful Crazy” went number one in 2018 and remained there for seven consecutive weeks. It also stayed at the top of the ‘Hot Country Songs’ charts for eleven straight weeks. The song even won ‘Song of the Year’ at the 2019 Academy of Country Music Awards.

 

“Beer Never Broke My Heart”- What You See Is What You Get

“Beer Never Broke My Heart” is Combs’ sixth single to head to country radio. The song is the first single off his sophomore record. One of the best songs to hear live, the track is a fiery, party song. Combs also earned a nod for ‘Single of the Year’ with this fun song.

 

“Even Though I’m Leaving”- What You See Is What You Get

Another favorite off the sophomore project, “Even Though I’m Leaving” went number one in November 2019. It even found its way back to the top spot four more times throughout the next few months. Additionally, it became Combs’ first top twenty single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Does to Me”– What You See Is What You Get

A killer collaboration with Eric Church, “Does to Me” was made to go number one. The song became a chart-topper in 2019 and continues to be a favorite amongst country music lovers. We hope there is another collab between Combs and Church in the future!

 

“Lovin’ on You”- What You See Is What You Get

The fourth radio single off What You See Is What You Get is “Lovin’ on You.” The song became an unexpected hit with fans, industry, and music lovers. The catchy track is an epic upbeat love song in Combs’ catalog.

 

“Better Together”- What You See Is What You Get

One of Combs’ most recent hits and a quarantine track, “Better Together” was primed for success. The tune is an incredible love song, full of romance and hope. “Better Together” is definitely one of our favorites.

 

“Forever After All”- What You See Ain’t Always What You Get

“Forever After All” wraps up Combs’ current list of number one hits. The song went number one after becoming an unreleased hit a few months ago. The song appeared as one of the added tracks on the deluxe version of Combs’ album What You See Ain’t Always What You Get. It is also one of the singer’s most personal songs to date.

“Cold As You”- What You See Ain’t Always What You Get

Combs continues his hot streak of number ones with “Cold As You.” The reflective, quiet, jam is fun-loving, introspective, and enticing. We do not see Combs’ streak of hits ending anytime soon!

 

“Doin’ This”- Growin’ Up

The lead single off his third studio album, “Doin’ This’ was an instant fan-favorite from he moment Combs teased the song as an unrelated track. A true and honest depiction of the singer’s career, it is one of his best songs to date.

 

“The Kind of Love We Make”- Growin’ Up

Combs continues his record-breaking streak of number ones with his second single off his latest album, “The Kind of Love We Make.” The love song is swoon-worthy, and we know exactly what it hit the top spot not the charts

 

“Going, Going, Gone”- Growin’ Up

Marking his 15th number one single, “Going, Gone, Gone” is officially number one at county radio. The song is a true testament to Combs one-of-a-kind talent and charisma.

“Fast Car”- Growin’ Up

Marking his 16th number one single, “Fast Car” is one of Combs’ fastest rising hit singles. While the song may be a cover, the singer truly makes it his own – breathing new life into the iconic song.

 

“Love You Anyway”- Growin’ Up

Combs officially hit seventeen number one songs with his single, “Love You Anyway.” A beautiful expression of love, the song is one of Combs’ best to date.

 

“Different ‘Round Here” by Riley Green ft. Luke Combs

Combs’ eighteenth number one came in the form of a collaboration. Combs lent his voice to a reimagined version of Riley Green’s iconic song “Different ‘Round Here.”

 

“Where The Wild Things Are”- Gettin’ Old

“Where The Wild Things Are” has been a fan-favorite since the day it was released. It marks Combs’ nineteenth number one single at country radio. The story-telling prowess of the song is unmatched.

 

Join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Luke Combs announcements and releases.

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

All of these Luke Combs hits and more are 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.

Viral TikTok Stars in Country Music That We Love Right Now

/in , /by

Here are six country music viral TikTok stars that we are loving right now. Let us know how your list matches up to ours.

TikTok-Priscilla-Block-CB30-Andrew-Jannakos-Noah-Schnacky-Kiera-Lewis-Lily-Rose

Viral TikTok Stars in Country Music That We Love Right Now

TikTok is full of talented budding artists with millions of followers. Overflowing with tons of incredible country songs that have gone viral way before they were even officially released, but it’s even more exciting to see all the country artists who have become stars because of their platforms. Check out a few of our favorites below. Let us know how your list matches up with ours.

Lily Rose

Recording artist Lily Rose, quite literally rose to fame thanks to TikTok. Her song “Villain” is one of our favorite songs on radio right now, and she is an absolute force. Rose caught the attention of Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music and Republic Records who signed her to a joint-venture record deal in Jan. 2021. With over four million likes and over 600K followers on the platform alone, Rose is absolutely the real deal!

Noah Schnacky

Although Noah Schnacky was known before TikTok, the platform has exponentially increased his fanbase. The talented singer-songwriter has 6.7 million followers on TikTok alone. One of his recent singles, “She Broke My Heart” blew up on the platform and continues to make waves for Schnacky.

CB30

One of our favorite brother duo’s CB30 have 2.4 million fans on TikTok. They continuously post both comedic pranks on the platform, as well as, killer covers and original songs. Most recently, Christian and Brody covered “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo, which fans went crazy for. This led the duo to release their own official cover of the track to all streaming platforms. They also just released their original new song, “Healthy.”

Priscilla Block

Priscilla Block earned her record deal because of a viral TikTok hit! Her song “Just About Over You” is still trending on the platform and she is about to make her Grand Ole Opry debut this month. It is safe to say that Block is killing it. To learn more about her, check out our interview with the artist here.

Andrew Jannakos

With just under 800k followers on TIkTok, Andrew Jannakos became a bonafide sensation after his wife posted a video of him singing his song “Gone Too Soon” on the platform. Now, the singer is a signed artist, and his second single “Wine Country” was released just a few weeks ago. We are loving his talent, and cannot wait to see him blossom.

Kierra Lewis

Rounding out our list is Kierra Lewis. The incredible comedian is a superstar in the making. She went viral on TikTok with a comedic rant about Sam Hunt, and her newfound fame is proving to be one that we can all enjoy together in country music. She may not be a singer, but she’s too talented to leave off our list!

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming announcements and releases, including news about these viral TikTok stars.

Best Country Music Songs of June 2021: “What We’re Listening To” Picks

/in , , /by

Country Swag’s “What We’re Listening To” playlist highlights the wide range of our team’s favorite songs and artists when it comes to the country music genre.  At the end of the day, we are all fans first with a passion for country music and are eager to share with you all what we’ve got on repeat each month.

Find below each of our team member’s favorite songs and why in our June 2021 picks of the current best country music songs. Then be sure to give our Spotify account a follow and listen to our favorite tracks!

 

JUNE PICKS:

 

 

Stephanie Wagner, Founder

Pick: “I Quit Drinking” – Kelsea Ballerini & LANY
Songwriters: Nicolle Galyon, Kelsea Ballerini, Paul Jason Klein

When I first saw Kelsea Ballerini and LANY perform this song together during the CMT Awards, I was immediately hooked. I love a good collab, especially cross-genre, that brings unique voices and flairs together and this one knocked it out of the park. I love the concept of this song where most break-up songs sing about needing that drink to move on and this one is quite literally the opposite. Not being together is the reason the main character can’t enjoy those drinks now. It’s such a simple concept that makes so much sense and on top of that it’s extremely catchy and the kind of song that makes you want to blast and sing along to.

“Waking up sober, it feels kinda nice // Except that I can’t sleep at night // You’re the reason there’s no whiskey, anywhere inside this house // You’re the reason all my friends know I don’t go downtown // You’re the reason I hate champagne // Never used to turn it down // You’re the only thing I want when one drop hits my mouth // Baby, you’re the reason // I quit drinking”

 

Lucie Bernheim, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Better Man” – Little Big Town
Songwriters: Taylor Swift

Little Big Town’s The Breaker album is one of my favorites to go back to, and I never get tired of listening to “Better Man”. Karen Fairchild’s vocals sound like a diary entry, and the rich harmonies that fill the space add so much depth to the already powerful lyrics. Taylor Swift’s lyricism is always brilliant, and on this track, it’s no exception. It’s heartbreaking yet empowering, “the bravest thing I ever did was run” – and I think that the overall strength of the song is what always brings me back to it. “Better Man”, in my mind, will go on to be one of the classics of this era of country music.

 

Dylan Bestler, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Summer Job Money” – Chris Lane
Songwriters: Blake Pendergrass, John Byron

Chris Lane released a lot of new music lately, but “Summer Job Money” is, in my opinion, the stand-out of the bunch. Its comical and catchy lyrics backed by its mix of modern and traditional country sound make it a great summer-love tune. I constantly find myself singing the chorus over-and-over in my head.

In his earlier stuff, I feel he was leaning heavily on the big pop-productions, like on “Fix,” “Let Me Love You,” and “Take Back Home Girl.” It is apparent that Lane is returning to his roots with these new songs. As someone who generally appreciates lyrics over background music, I think a simpler sound works better with Lane’s style and persona. I’m looking forward to more from him this summer!

 

Kristina Callahan, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Famous Friends” – Chris Young & Kane Brown
Songwriters: Cary Barlowe, Chris Young, Corey Crowder

One of the reasons I love Chris Young is the energy he brings to his songs whether it be a ballad or an upbeat drinking song. “Famous Friends” fits in the latter category but it’s about a group of friends that might not be famous by Hollywood standards but they’re local celebrities in their hometown. The song namedrops counties throughout Tennessee in the chorus, a shout out to the Volunteer State.

“I’ve got some famous friends you’ve probably never heard of // But back in Hamilton County our crowd is second to none // You might not know ’em here in this big city we’re in // But when I go back home I’ve got some famous friends”

Young brought his real-life friend Kane Brown onto the song and he’s the perfect addition. They both closed out the CMT Music Awards earlier this month with “Famous Friends” and you can tell their friendship runs deep.

 

Pick: “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan
Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins

Every so often a song comes along that gives me chills not just the first time I hear it, but every time after that. Maybe I’m sentimental after the year we’ve all had, or maybe I’m extra emotional because I recently got married, but this track about what really matters has been giving me all the feels this month. The song is catchy, heartfelt, simple, and so very country. And the collaboration between a rising talent and an established superstar is just the icing on top.

“Buy dirt // Find the one you can’t live without // Get a ring, let your knee hit the ground // Do what you love but call it work // And throw a little money in the plate at church // Send your prayers up and your roots down deep // Add a few limbs to your family tree // And watch their pencil marks // And the grass in the yard all grow up // ‘Cause the truth about it is // It all goes by real quick // You can’t buy happiness // But you can buy dirt”

 

Pick: “Woman You Got” – Maddie & Tae
Songwriters: Laura Veltz, Maddie Font, Mark Holman, Taylor Kerr

This month, I chose “Woman You Got” by Maddie and Tae as a song I have had on repeat. The track is fun and catchy yet gets it right about growing in a relationship whether that be dating or marriage.

“You say you love me, I know you love me // Love that you love me, baby // I know you know me, but if I know me // I’m gonna drive you crazy // The thing about me is I’m always getting better // The truth is, boy, it might take forever but // When it comes to loving you I’m never gonna stop // And that’s the kind of woman you got”

 

Erica Zisman, Contributing Writer

Pick: “Middle Man” – Kasey Tyndall
Songwriters: Kasey Tyndall, Lainey Wilson

After getting to interview Kasey Tyndall for our Swag Spotlight series, I knew I had to choose her song “Middle Man” as my pick of the month. I already loved the song, but hearing how effortlessly the track came together really spoke to me. I love songs that can make me feel something. “Middle Man” fits the bill. Although I do not have divorced parents, I can literally feel the emotion that Tyndall conveys in the poignant new single.

“I was too young to understand // I was a little girl // And the middle man // I got a taste of rock n roll // Swear I learned to talk to Jesus // And I made best friends with the road // I got real good // I got real good at leaving”

The songstress finds a way to matter-of-factly speak her truth, while speaking for a larger landscape of people. She does not cast blame on anyone, which makes the song even more special. We are all just people after all. “Middle Man” reminds listeners that we are always influenced by where we come, regardless of our circumstances. That is a beautiful message to come out of a tender, yet gritty single!

 

Listen to our picks on our “What We’re Listening To” playlist on Spotify and be sure to give it a follow, so you can catch our monthly updates.

5 Things to Know About SmithField’s Latest EP ‘New Town’

/in , , /by

SmithField’s new music, an EP, ‘New Town,’ is out now, June 16th, on all streaming platforms. Check out five things to know about the new music below.

  1. The whole New Town record is a story from start to finish that displays ‘SmithField 2.0’.

“Every song on the EP tells its own story, but the record as a whole is one long narrative about ups and downs of life and love and relationships.”

 

  1. The title track felt really personal to the duo and truly embodies their journey and decade in Nashville.

“The song is about falling in love with the town all over again when you fall in love with somebody”

 

  1. With the release of this new project, SmithField hopes to breathe new life into country music male/female duos.

“It’s been ten years since we’ve had a female/male duo break, so we really hope we can be the new generation for what Sugarland and Thompson Square started many years ago.”

 

  1. Their song “Something Sexy” was inspired by other country artists and their songs that have the romance factor, like Chris Young, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill. The song happened effortlessly during a write.

“There are 12 references to country music artists and their songs.”

 

  1. SmithField hopes the record inspires others to sit with their feelings and a cup of coffee. There’s truly a song for everyone on the new EP.

“Tre and I are really big coffee people. We love to have coffee talk every day. That’s where we like to share our hearts and our writing.”

Lean more and listen to SmithField’s New Town here.

smithfield-new-music-new-town

SmithField’s new EP, ‘New Town’ is available now, June 16th, 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 SmithField announcements and releases.

To keep up with SmithField, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

New Town 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.