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Dierks Bentley: ‘Broken Branches’ – Album Review

June 13, 2025/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Dierks Bentley’s new album, Broken Branches is out now, June 13th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new album below.

With a career spanning more than two decades, Dierks Bentley has been one of country music’s most well-known and consistent voices. Now, the acclaimed singer-songwriter is back with Broken Branches, one of his best offerings to date.

On the 11 track collection, the Arizona native trusted the process, enlisting some of Nashville’s most well-known songwriters and musicians to build out the project. On the Capitol Records Nashville release, Bentley co-wrote four songs, focusing on acquiring the best songs possible from the likes of Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman, Seth Ennis, Devin Dawson, Jordan Reynolds, and more

Executive produced by Mary Hilliard Harrington, Bentley crafted a project that tells the tales of country music. “The country music community has a lot of broken branches in it. That’s why we’re all here,” Bentley explains in a statement. “We want to do something a little bit different, and I think everyone sees themselves like that – certainly in country. This is the people’s music and it represents that spirit of individuality so well – it’s just about doing it our own way.”

The album opens with “Cold Beer Can,” featuring Stephen Wilson, Jr. It’s classic Bentley, clever lyrics over a catchy melody with a hint of a message. “What I love about this song is that the title and idea seem like such familiar territory for country music, but when you actually dig into the lyrics of the song, it’s much more meaningful,” said Bentley.

“A cold beer can go further than a dollar // 12-pack peace pipe for the blue collar // Worth more than a silver when it changes hands // Money can’t buy what a cold beer can // Worth more than a silver when it changes hands // No, money can’t buy what a cold beer can”

“Jesus Loves Me” is a rock-tinted and smoky look at trading the bottle for the Bible, musing “Yeah Jesus loves me, but she don’t,” while “She Hates Me” is an almost Offspring-esque tongue-in-cheek lack-of-love song that shows Bentley at his best. He’s an antihero who isn’t going to be beat down by a woman who doesn’t quite like him.

“We were goofing around with this idea before diving into our next ‘serious’ song, really just trying to make each other laugh. It just fell out, and I didn’t think much more about it after that,” Bentley explained in a statement. “But then it really came to life in the studio, and then my kids were requesting it and then I was getting texts from friends who had heard it, so I started taking it more seriously! I love any opportunity to laugh at myself – especially my younger self, and ‘She Hates Me’ definitely provides that.”

“She hates me // My hair, my truck, my dog, my music makes her crazy // She done been there, done that, ain’t coming back, // no maybes Thought one day, // we’d be on some acres raising babies // She should be falling, only problem is she hates me”

As with any Bentley album, love is a permeating theme, notably on songs like “Something Worth Fixing,” “Standing in the Sun,” and “Never You,” which features vocals from Miranda Lambert. The Lambert duet is a sparse and twangy tale in the vein of country’s most quintessential duets, while “Sun” is a gorgeous building ballad comparing love to basking in the glow of someone you love.

“This is one of those songs that I never in a million years could have written on my own, but I’m so glad someone in this town did and gave me temporary custody of it for awhile,” said Bentley. “Love is such a classic theme in country music, but Kyle was able to write it in a way that is so personal to me…it’s the way I feel it. And, I love how sonically it builds to feel like a sunrise, tying back to the lyric of the song.”

“Well Well Whiskey” is an immediate standout, a Bluegrass-laden lyrically clever anthemic ode to whiskey. “When I first heard ‘Well Well Whiskey,’ it made me think of my Up On the Ridge album, which leaned heavily on the power of acoustic instruments. I heard a lot of the same opportunity for the guys in the studio to contribute ideas and collaborate together in the same spirit of that earlier project,” Bentley explains. “There is nothing more fun than turning the musicians loose on a track like this and seeing what they come up with. I definitely see this one making it into our live show this summer.”

The album’s title track perfectly encapsulates the album, featuring vocals from country legend John Anderson and rising superstar Riley Green. It’s an earworm celebration of bromance and throwing one back. In a similar vein, “For as Long as I Can Remember” celebrates what a son takes from his father and the other men in his family.

“Off the Map” finds him escaping reality for somewhere simpler, while the album’s closing track, “Don’t Cry for Me” sends the album out on a poignant note. Bentley couldn’t be happier with the life he’s led, noting “Don’t cry for me when I’m gone, Heaven knows I’ve had one hell of a run.”

On Broken Branches, Dierks Bentley takes a look at all of the different broken branches that make up life and love, doing so in a way that’s equal parts tongue-in-cheek and poignant. It’s truly Bentley at his finest.

Broken Branches Tracklist:

Cold Beer Can (Jon Randall, Luke Dick, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Dierks Bentley)
Jesus Loves Me (Adam James, Ben Stennis and Allison Veltz Cruz)
She Hates Me (Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Allen, Wesley Scantlin and Dierks Bentley)
Something Worth Fixing (Stephen Wilson Jr., Luke Dick and Dierks Bentley)
Standing In The Sun (Kyle Sturrock)
Well Well Whiskey (Seth Ennis, Devin Dawson and Jordan Reynolds)
Broken Branches (Zach Abend, Beau Bailey and Graham Barham)
Off The Map (Jeremy Bussey, Lauren McLamb and Adam Wood)
Near You ft. Miranda Lambert (Scooter Carusoe, Ross Copperman and Ben Williams)
For As Long As I Can Remember (Devin Dawson, Connie Harrington)
Don’t Cry For Me (Jim Beavers and Dierks Bentley)

Country Swag Picks:

Well Well Whiskey
Broken Branches
Never You
Standing in the Sun
Jesus Loves Me

Dierks Brantley shares new album, ‘Broken Branches,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

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

For more info on Dierks Bentley, including tour dates, visit his official website.

To keep up with Dierks Bentley, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook,

Borken Branches 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.

Russell Dickerson Drops New Song “Heard It In A Country Song”

June 13, 2025/in Blog, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Russell Dickerson’s new song, “Heard It In A Country Song” is out now, June 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new track below.

Russell Dickerson is truly one of the best artists in country music right now. His work ethic, humility, and ability to crank out hits is seemingly unmatched. As fans anticipate his next studio album, Dickerson is sharing another taste of what’s to come. “Heard It In A Country Song” is officially out now.

Dickerson delivers a nostalgic and heartfelt new song with “Heard It In A Country Song.” The song is a reminder that we all have similar experiences, and that country music becomes a catalyst for sharing those experiences. Lyrics aside, the melody of the song is infectious, different, and fits Dickerson’s personality to a tee!

“You can still get the girl if you got a barbecue stain // Never leave blue eyes crying in the rain // It’s still a good night if you just settle for a grape snowcone // And dust on the bottle ain’t such a bad thing // Do the watermelon crawl, don’t drive if you drink // Yeah, I lived it, I learned it, I heard it in a country song // So if I get a little loud drinking Tennessee whiskey // Take starry nights over lights in the city // Get a little proud of this little bitty town that I call home // There’s a three chord truth on an FM station // And a neon jukebox you could probably blame it on // Yeah, I heard it in a country song”

Dickerson can truly do no wrong in our book! “Heard It In A Country Song” will make fans even more excited for the next RD project, Famous Back Home. Stay tuned!

Russell Dickerson shares new song, “Heard It In A Country Song,“ 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 Russell Dickerson releases.

To keep up with Russell Dickerson, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Heard It In A Country Song” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Who Is Ada Pasternak? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

June 11, 2025/in Blog, News, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

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

Ada Pasternak // Photo credit: Chaz Mazzota

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on a uniquely talented singer-songwriter. Ada Pasternak joined us to chat about her musical upbringing, her current music, and how she interweaves all of her passion projects into the fabric of her life. Keep reading to learn more about her incredible story.

“I was born in Moscow. We immigrated to New York City when I was little, and my parents are both musicians, so they put my brother and I in music classes when we were little people,” began Pasternak. The songstress grew up as a classical violinist and a child prodigy. She spent most of her childhood surrounded by music, mostly classical music, and improving at her craft.

“I grew up a classical violinist. I was a child prodigy, and that was my whole life. That’s what I thought I would do forever, be a classical soloist,” she shared, reminiscing about her upbringing. “I played classical music so often as a kid that when I listened to music it was really just whatever was on the radio like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, that kind of stuff. Other than that, I practiced four to six hours a day, and my whole childhood was in classical music. […] My parents would also be playing music at home.”

Unfortunately at the peak of her career, Pasternak became unable to play her instrument. “I developed severe tendonitis, and over use syndrome, so I couldn’t play violin anymore. That was really difficult physically and emotionally of course to have to give up what you worked so hard for.” However, her path would go to unfold in a different way.

The Turning Point:

Eventually Pasternak decided to apply to college at the Berklee College of Music in Boston to pursue a new dream. “I applied for a music therapy program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and you needed to audition with an instrument and I hadn’t played the violin in three years. So I picked up the violin, prepared a piece, and my dad drove me to Boston, and accompanied me on the piano while I auditioned. I ended up getting a full scholarship, such a miracle because we were really poor.”

While at Berklee, Pasternak’s world opened up, as she was exposed to musicians from all over the world, playing all different genres of music.“Berklee completely opened by eyes and changed my life. It’s where I started playing Jazz and improvising, and playing country, and signing and writing songs,” she shared, adding, “Berklee is such a melting pot. There is so many types of musicians from all over the world. There is any musical genre you can think of.”

While attending school, the songstress would jam with bluegrass musicians and dabble in different genres, ultimately learning new languages through music. It was during this time in her life too that she unofficially became a songwriter. “I kind of just starting exploring these other genres without ever thinking I would become a songwriter or a singer, but it was after my first break-up with my first college boyfriend that I started writing songs,” shared Pasternak.

The singer made the move to Nashville to continue to hone her musical talent just. few months ago. Since then she has immersed herself into the country music fabric, and the songwriting that comes with it. “Writing has just been my therapy and I hope it can provide some music therapy to others, and it’s funny because I originally applied to Berklee to be a music therapist and I became a songwriter, in a way is music therapy.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Pasternak has her feet firmly planted in Nashville. She is a multi-faceted artist, author, songwriter, and advocate for mental health. Her music is healing and honest, something that fans are sure to gravitate towards. While all of the singer’s previous releases have merit, most recently her songs “One Way Ticket” and “Rosé” showcase her undeniable talent.

“One Way Ticket” is an autobiographical song that encapsulates Pasternak’s journey in Nashville. “I just had to release this one. I had to finish writing it when I came up with the chorus. It was too good and too honest not to. Basically I bought a one way ticket to Nashville from LA, just a few months ago. […] It was a really hot outside, and I thought it would be nice to get a trim, and at this point, my hair was really long, like it’s been my whole life, so I asked if they had an appointment. […] I sat down and I said you know what, chop it all off. I’m starting over,” she shared.

She ended up sans ten inches of hair and with a new found inspiration for life. “I felt like a different person after. I felt a lot lighter, I felt excited for the new chapter here in Nashville, I felt really sexy and alive. It was something I’ll never forget getting that hair cut. So I went back to my friend’s house where I was staying, picked up his guitar which was tuned in a really weird, unusual way, and came up with that chorus. It just came out of me, and I took it to my producer, and we finished the song.”

Songs like this are sure to be at the forefront of Pasternak’s upcoming project. She is currently working on a concept album that is sure to impress fans. “It’s going to be a lot of break-up songs. […] Then there are going to be songs about me getting stronger and becoming free again. I’m really excited to finish that album and share it with the world.”

Connect:

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

To keep up with Ada Pasternak, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

Ada Pasternak’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.

Megan Moroney Earns Number One at Country Radio with “Am I Okay?”

June 9, 2025/in Blog, News, Number One Songs /by Erica Zisman

Megan Moroney scores her second number one single at country radio with her single, “Am I Okay?”. Get all the details here.

We coined Megan Moroney an absolute superstar in the making when she earned her first number one single at country radio with “Tennessee Orange.” Today, she is proving us right, earning another number one at country radio. The lead single and title track of her sophomore album Am I Okay? is officially the number one song at country radio this week!

While all of Moroney’s songs truly display her staying power, “Am I Okay?” is the song that truly separated itself from the rest on her sophomore album. The song is a glimmer of what a happy Megan could look like when she’s in love, something that we are sure to get more of on MM3. The song has also inspired an incredible fanbase of women to find their own love stories, while of course, still relating the sad girl songs that Morney is hands down the best at!

“I’ve been playing less black keys, baby // And my friends swear I’ve gone crazy // I don’t know how to act // I don’t know what to say // ‘Cause oh my God, he walked in // Like a 6’2″ dream, heaven-sent // He says what he means and he means what he says // And he’s funny and he’s smart and he’s good in (good in) // Maybe love ain’t always what it was // Not crying and dying and messing me up // I think I’m really happy, I think I want to stay // Oh my God, am I okay?”

Congratulations to Megan and her team on scoring their second number one at country radio with “Am I Okay?”! There will definitely be more to come.

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

To keep up with Megan Moroney, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Am I Okay?” 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.

Here Are The New Country Songs You Need To Know This Week (6/6)

June 6, 2025/in Blog, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Here are all of the new country songs that you need to know this week. Check-out the full list of incredible new songs that came out this new music Friday.

“Dodge A Bullet” – Corey Kent

Corey Kent is kicking off the summer with new music. “Dodge A Bullet” is one of the two songs the entertainer dropped today.

“I Ain’t Worried About It” – Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band readies fans for summer with their brand new song, “I Ain’t Worried About It.”

“Water My Flowers” – Old Dominion

Old Dominion continues to grow their music catalog with their new song, “Water My Flowers.”

“George F****** Strait” – Laci Kaye Booth

Laci Kaye Booth is celebrating her low for George Strait and bringing the sass on this brand new song.

“Jesus Wouldn’t Do” – Jordan Davis

As fans await his next studio album, Jordan Davis shares another cut off the upcoming project today.

“Poster Child” – Corey Kent

In a surprise song drop, Corey Kent shares brand new song, “Poster Child” alongside his new song, “Dodge A Bullet.”

“Summer Nights” – Rascal Flatts & Ashley Cooke

In one of the most anticipated projects of the summer, Rascal Flatts officially release their Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets project, featuring duets with cross-genre superstars, including rising talent, Ashley Cooke on this rendition.

“Hold Your Horses” – Lanie Gardner

Lanie Gardner shares her brand new EP, polaroids, featuring six incredible songs, including this standout track, “Hold Your Horses.”

“Anything Like Me” – Hailey Whitters

Whitters brand new project, Corn Queen features sixteen new songs, including this stand-out track, “Anything Like Me.”

“Son of the San Lorenzo” – Jesse Daniel

Off his brand new album of the same name, “Son of the San Lorenzo,” the title track of Daniel’s new project is one to listen to!

“Sweet ’N Low” – Remy Garrison

Songstress, Remy Garnison is getting fans expected for summer on her new catchy song, “Sweet ‘N Low.”

“Comin’ In Cold” – Bailey Zimmerman

Bailey Zimmerman expands his growing catalog with the release of his brand new song, “Comin’ In Cold” in conjunction with his next album release date.

“Sweet Lady” – Dylan Gossett

Whitters brand new project, Corn Queen features sixteen new songs, including this stand-out track, “Anything Like Me.”

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

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.

Lanie Gardner: ‘polaroids’ – EP Review

June 6, 2025/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Lanie Gardner shares her new EP, polaroids, officially out now, June 6th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

Following the release of her 2024 debut, the introspective A Songwriter’s Diary, Lanie Gardner is back with a new EP. On polaroids, the rising singer-songwriter shares six new tracks, each a perfect snapshot of summertime in the country.

Released via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, the collection is primed to get fans ready for sunshine, sand, and slowing down. “My new EP, polaroids, is all summer songs,” She says of the new collection. “Anything that hopefully you can play on a beach or a boat or in your yard, out in the sun.”

The North Carolina native opens the EP with “Takin’ the Slow Ride,” a sensuous and twangy ode to slowing down and enjoying life’s simple moments. With smoky vocals and penchant for catchy melodies, the track sets up the EP perfectly, inviting listeners into her world of sunset skies, cotton candy neon, and an old Ford dashboard. “We’re just taking our time,” She muses, “Takin’ the slow ride.”

“Boys Like You” and “Concrete Cowboy” introduces listeners to guys who are nothing but trouble. The former is a pedal-and-steel-laden look at those “boys like you” who “keep one foot out the screen door” and are “only made to run.” Likewise, “Concrete Cowboy” finds Gardner scorned by a man who isn’t what he claims to be. On the slow burning ballad, Gardner pairs her sultry vocals with an unusual beat as she confronts the imposter country boy.

“‘Concrete Cowboy’ is calling out the boys who roll in from the city pretending to be good ol’ country boys,” shared Gardner. “Sneaky little posers who take advantage of hearts that love quick and love strong—the hearts of Southern belles. I reckon you’ve got to have a heart made of concrete to do a woman like that. But the truth is that maybe these poor guys just never learned how to love a good ol’ country girl. And that? That’s a damn shame—for them.”

“Buzzkill” is a countrified take on a girl who just doesn’t quite fit in and drags the crowd down. She’s “a pair of high heels with a bad attitude” and the track is a brilliantly tongue-in-cheek kiss-off. Laden with Southern attitude and country toe-tapping instrumentation, it’s the perfect girl-power country song or TikTok soundbyte. “I wrote this song about a friend who had a habit of bringing around the textbook ‘mean girls,’ the ones you could see coming from a mile away. They always had bad intentions,” She reveals. “He’s as stubborn as a mule, so we all figured we’d just let him be. But me? I like a buzz when I’ve caught it. So somebody had to say something—and you bet your a** I did. And I put it in a song.”

The EP rounds out with “Hold Your Horses,” a swinging and nostalgic search for the peace that comes from slowing down in one’s hometown, while “Little Bit Of Lovin’” closes the EP on a seductive note. On the playful and beat-laden track, she celebrates the kind of undeniable chemistry that makes it impossible to stay mad at someone you can’t resist.

On polaroids, Lanie Gardner teases her next full length album, due out later this year, while also offering listeners a perfect soundtrack to summer.

polaroids EP Track List:

Talkin’ The Slow Ride
Boys Like You
Buzzkill
Concrete Cowboy
Hold Your Horses
Little Bit Of Lovin’

Country Swag Picks:

Buzzkill
Takin’ the Slow Ride
Concrete Cowboy

Lanie Gardner shares her new EP, ‘polaroids,’ 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 Lanie Gardner releases.

To keep up with Lanie Gardner, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

polaroids 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.

Here is Rascal Flatts Album ‘Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets’

June 6, 2025/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Rascal Flatts shares his new album, Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets, officially out now, June 6th on all streaming platforms. Learn more below.

Platinum-selling country trio Rascal Flatts return after five years off the road to celebrate their twenty five years together. With an impressive new project, the superstars re-imagine some of their hit songs with fellow music artists like Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, Jordan Davis, and Brandon Lake. Their new project Life Is A highway: Refueled Duets is unlike anything else, and it’s pretty much perfect!

The record is a cross-genre masterpiece, bringing new and old fans together to celebrate the legacy that is Rascal Flatts.

Listen to Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets now and let us know what you think!

Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets Track List:

I Dare You (with Jonas Brothers)
Fast Cars And Freedom (with Jason Aldean)
My Wish (with Carly Pearce)
Mayberry (with Blake Shelton)
Stand (with Brandon Lake)
Summer Nights (with Ashley Cooke)
What Hurts The Most (with Backstreet Boys)
Yours If You Want It (with Jordan Davis)
Life Is A Highway (with Lzzy Hale)
I’m Movin’ On (with Kelly Clarkson)

Rascal Flats shares new song album, ‘Life Is A Highway Refueled,’ 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 Rascal Flatts releases.

To keep up with Rascal Flatts, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Life Is A Highway Refueled 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.

Jason Aldean Goes Number One at Country Radio with “Whiskey Drink”

June 2, 2025/in Blog, News, Number One Songs /by Erica Zisman

Jason Aldean earns the number one song at country radio this week with his song, “Whiskey Drink.” Learn more here!

Platinum-selling entertainer, Jason Aldean has been a staple in the country music industry for decades. It seems every song he releases becomes a hit with his fans. Today, the singer-songwriter hit a remarkable feat, earning his 30th number one single at country radio with his song, “Whiskey Drink.”

In an Instagram caption, Aldean showed his appreciation for the accomplishment. “Huge thank you to country radio, my team, the writers, and to all of you for listening and loving this one. Cheers! 🥃.” “Whiskey Drink” is everything fans have come to know and love from the singer. It is no wonder that it found its way to the top of the charts!

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

A huge congrats goes out to Jason Aldean and his team on an incredible feat!

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

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

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

Who Is Justin Schools? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

June 2, 2025/in Blog, News, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

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

Justin Schools

Quick Facts:

Full name – Justin Schools
Birthdate – 09/20/1999
Hometown – Ray City, Georgia
Current city – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical influences – Luke Bryan, Randy Travis, The Fray, Alan Jackson
Current Single – “Somewhere Right Now” (as of date of article: 6/2/2025)

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on newcomer, Justin Schools. The talented singer-songwriter has music in his blood, and he is on the path to greatness. We chatted with Schools about his path so far, his current music, and everything in between!

Growing up, Schools was surrounded by music thanks to his musical family. “I grew up in South Georgia, pretty much the middle of nowhere. […] I grew up listening to music and helping out and working around farms, just living the country lifestyle,” shared the singer, adding, “My mother sings and still sings in church to this day. I grew up around it, I had some cousins who played in bands around Georgia, so music has always been a big part of my life.”

From an early age, the singer-songwriter played and snag in church and led worship at his school. “Country music was a part of my lifestyle, so I listened to a lot of that and Christian music.” In high-school, Schools’ music catalog expanded to the genres too. “I played a lot of sports, so that opened me up to a lot more music. I listen to some rap, some hip-hop, and I kind of got into classical a little bit. […] It’s a little bit of everything.”

His wide musical taste allowed him to draw inspiration from different artists, which he still feels inspired by today. “Growing up, I grew up listening to Luke Bryan, and some people hate it, and some people judge me for it, but now I’m just accepting it. Luke Bryan is one of my biggest influences as far as his songs he wrote coming into country. I grew up that way, so I related to him a lot. Outside of Luke, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, and I listened to a lot of The Fray coming up too. They’re one of my favorite bands, so they inspired a lot of my songwriting too.”

The Turning Point:

Upon graduating high-school, Schools went to college in his home-state.”I started playing in a little acoustic group in college and playing bars, and stuff like that. That kind of extended into writing songs,” he shared, adding, “coming out of high-school, I went to college, and I was a terrible student in college. I would skip class just to go to work or to play a show on the weekend. I wound up going to four different colleges really before I decided to finally make the move up to Nashville in 2021.”

Prior to making the move to Music City, Schools found himself trying to make college work, while really desiring to focus on music. “People tell me I lived twelve different lives all in one,” he shared. “I went to one college and did the fraternity thing and had fun at that one school, and then got out of there. Then I went off to one college and went there, and was doing great in school for the first time, then COVID came around, and everything went online, and I am by no means a technology guy.”

This led Schools to take some time off. He eventually ended up transferring to a private music college in Memphis, Tennessee. “I majored in songwriting, which I didn’t really major in it, because I only went for one year, and I went there, and I did not enjoy the college in Memphis at all, I was back and forth from Memphis and Nashville a a lot, just writing back and forth with guys here in Nashville, I felt like Memphis was kind of just my way to be involved with music without having to stress about my first months rent.”

After that, he moved home for the summer, saved up money, and officially moved to Nashville at the end of 2021.

Today:

Flash forward to today, Schools is living full-time in Nashville, and releasing music for the first time, giving his dream a real shot. He most recently released new songs, “Hurt Like That.” and “Somewhere Right Now.” While the singer’s initial music leaned more towards old-school Luke Bryan, his current sound is an incredible blend of rock and country influences that feel all his own.

Schools shared that “Hurt Like That” marked the first time he really felt he found that sound in his music. “I had the idea of “Hurt Like That,” what could it be, and you could go so many different routes with one idea. Then the melody kind of popped in my head, and I took it into a room with some great writers, and we didn’t really nail down what I wanted, so I took it back, and took it in another room with some good friends of mine, and we finally got the product that you hear today. […] “Hurt Like That” is a cool song. It’s different than when I first started writing. […] It’s a new lane that I feel like I’ve gotten into, and I’m really enjoying it, and it’s fun, and it feels great.”

“Somewhere Right Now” is an incredible follow up “Hurt Like That,” showcasing Schools talent even more! Fans can expect even more music coming down the pipeline soon. Stay tuned! “We for sure have more music coming out this year. We worked really hard on them.”

Connect:

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

To keep up with Justin Schools, follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Justin Schools’ 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.

Dustin Lynch Shares New Song “Easy To Love” Out Now

May 30, 2025/in Blog, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Dustin Lynch releases new song, “Easy To Love,” out now, May 30th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track here and learn more.

Platinum-selling country star, Dustin Lynch is readying fans for new music. Lynch is always remaining true to himself as an artist and as a songwriter, so it’s no surprise that his newest song speaks to his own experiences in life so far. Today, Lynch shares his latest song, “Easy To Love.”

Written by the singer-songwriter with Ben Johnson, Jon Hall, Hunter Phelps, and Zach Crowell, “Easy To Love” is a clever and honest song about being a tough person to pin down when it comes to love. Admittedly, Lynch sings about sometimes being restless and good at being alone. Relatable, catchy, and introspective, “Easy To Love” is an incredible juxtaposition between vulnerable lyrics and a summer-vibe production.

“I’m still thinking maybe one day I’ll find her // They always say when you know, you know // If I know me, she’ll be my next right turn // But I’ll take a left, just to see where it goes // This heart ain’t easy to love // This heart ain’t easy to love // It’s a little too cold // A little too stuck // A little too broke / A little too drunk // This heart ain’t’ easy to love // This heart ain’t easy to love”

“Easy To Love” is easily one of Lynch’s best song to date! We’re excited for what’s to come next.

Dustin Lynch shares new song, “Easy To Love,” 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 Dustin Lynch releases.

To keep up with Dustin Lynch, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

“Easy To Love” 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.