Posts

What Does ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ Mean? — St. Jude Campaign

/in , /by

Curious as to why so many of your favorite artists and celebrities are rocking a ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ t-shirt? Learn all about the special tee and how you can get one to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital here…

As a country music fan, year after year, it’s almost certain that you’ve found your favorite country music artists supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Whether through benefit concerts, posts on social media, or rocking the ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ tee, it’s pretty clear that St. Jude holds a very special place in the country music community. 

While the answer may seem obvious by brief definition alone, — St. Jude leads the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. To learn even more, Country Swag took a visit to St. Jude during the annual ‘Country Cares Seminar’ this fall.

Launched more than 30 years ago, Randy Owen from the band Alabama stood up during Nashville’s Annual Country Radio Seminar and asked his friends, colleagues, and radio partners to join together to help St. Jude and the children they serve, and so, the ‘Country Cares Seminar’ was born. The program unites more than 200 radio stations, influencers, and dozens of country music artists annually to raise awareness and support for St. Jude.

During the seminar, all guests are invited to tour St. Jude, located in Memphis, Tennessee, and see firsthand the inspirational work that the teams at St. Jude are doing. Upon the first introduction, guests learn about the organization and what exactly makes it so impactful and so special. Perhaps the most remarkable part is that thanks to very generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Families receive the best care in the world, at no cost, making the worst and darkest days of their lives a little bit brighter – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

In addition, St Jude’s research facility and labs are open 24/7 and freely share their findings, protocols, and breakthroughs, so that every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands of more children.

Thanks to generous donations, the brilliant teams at St. Jude have access to equipment that costs millions and millions of dollars, which just not all doctors and scientists everywhere have access to. This not only gives them the freedom to focus on what matters most — saving kids regardless of their financial situation, but they are able to share their discoveries and patients everywhere are getting treatments that were started at St. Jude. Consequently, when you’re donating to St. Jude, you’re not just donating to one hospital in one city, you’re funding the source and if speaking to cancer patients around the world, a common thread may be that many have been treated by protocols that have been sourced by St. Jude. St. Jude is actively working towards a world where no family ever has to hear the words “you have cancer”.

Seeing the work, hearing stories from doctors and patients alike, and understanding the experiences at St. Jude make it easy to recognize the importance of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and instantly inspires guests to get involved and help raise awareness. Next time you see your favorite artists talking about and supporting St. Jude it’s likely because they were able to have these experiences too and see firsthand the amazing work done at St. Jude.

Words like “inspiring”, “joy”, “positivity” and “healing” are just some of the many terms that came to mind for country artists like Breland, Kameron Marlowe, and Randy Owen, during their visit to St. Jude, as seen in the video above.

There are great research institutions, great hospitals, and great charities. St. Jude is all three. You can join the cause and help support St. Jude and the incredible initiative set forth by many country artists and celebrities alike with the ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ t-shirt. For a monthly donation of just $19, you get the exclusive tee and all funds directly support the incredible St. Jude organization.

It costs over a million dollars daily to operate St. Jude each and every day. Donations allow St. Jude to continue to help children everywhere.

Join us and many of your favorite country artists like Lainey Wilson, Jon Parsi, Jordan Davis, and Lady A, and help save lives.

To donate and get your own “This Shirt Saves Lives” t-shirt head to: musicgives.org.

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

Bailey-zimmerman-religiously

Bailey Zimmerman Secures Third Number One with “Religiously”

/in , , /by

Bailey Zimmerman earns his third number one song at country radio this week with “Religiously.” Learn all the details here.

In his blossoming career, Bailey Zimmerman is making quick time of superstardom. After earning two back to back number ones with his debut single, “Fall In Love” and follow up single, “Rock And A Hard Place,” the singer-songwriter is showing no signs of slowing down. Today, he lands his third consecutive number one single with arguably his most popular song to date, “Religiously.”

While all of Zimmerman’s songs are catchy and heartfelt in their own right, “Religiously” is certainly one of the singer’s most honest songs to date. Throughout the track, he laments about a relationship that did not work out, even though he wished it would have. The song has attracted fans all across the country genre and has clearly won the hearts of country radio too.

“And yeah, I’ve had my share of other broken up hearts // But I only shed real tears over ours // And now I’m in this cold bright light // And this don’t even feel like life // ‘Cause I don’t have the only woman who believed in me // Religiously // And now I’m in the back of the church // Praying just to stop the hurt // ‘Cause I don’t have the only woman who was there for me // Religiously”

Congratulations to Zimmerman and his team on their accomplishment. Let’s see if the streak of number ones continues to grow!

Bailey-zimmerman-religiously

Bailey Zimmerman secures his third number one single with his debut album, title track, “Religiously.”

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

To keep up with Bailey Zimmerman, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Rock And A Hard Place” 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.

Bailey-zimmerman-religiously

Bailey Zimmerman: ‘Religiously. The Album’ Album Review

/in , , , /by

Bailey Zimmerman shares his debut album, Religiously. The Album, officially out now, May 12th on all streaming platforms. Learn more and listen to the new album below.

Since exploding onto the music scene, Bailey Zimmerman has been lauded as one of country music’s newest and most exciting future superstars. The Warner Music Nashville/Elektra recording artist’s debut album, Religiously. The Album., is out now and is set to prove why.

The Louisville, IL native co-wrote 11 of the album’s 16 tracks as a follow up to his debut project, 2022’s EP Leave the Light On. With “Fall in Love” and “Rock and a Hard Place” already topping the US Country Airplay chart, it’s Zimmerman’s unique brand of radio-ready country rock that is continuing to win over new fans.

With a weathered voice, a growl full of emotion, and stories way beyond his age, the talented singer-songwriter takes listeners on a journey through heartbreak, heartache, and healing on much of Religiously, those themes permeating their way through a multitude of tracks including the single-worthy titular track. Here, he grapples with the grief of a relationship ending, noting that she seems happy, just not with him. “You look happy I guess, got the life that you wanted,” he growls, voice breaking with emotion. “But it ain’t with me.”

For Zimmerman, it’s clear from Religiously that he’s had his heart broken. “From 18 to 20, I was just kind of numb all the time,” he reveals. “Now I’ve got emotion back. I can feel things. Writing music has really helped me get out of that state.” 

Those emotions weave their way through songs like “Fix’N to Break,” “Fadeaway,” “Warzone,” “Get to Gettin’ Gone,” “Chase Her,” and the album’s closing track, “Is This Really Over?” Each of these find him in relationship limbo, wondering where things stand and if it’s time to call it quits or keep fighting. “Fix’N to Break” opens almost angelically before transitioning into a sparse, country ballad that’s an immediate standout of the album, Zimmerman comparing his relationship to a home that’s falling apart.

Likewise, “Warzone” uses solid metaphors in its lyrics to compare a relationship to a battlefield, the background music fraught with darkness. On the tuned down guitar-heavy track, he sings about “living in a warzone with a heart full of bullet holes and boarded up windows.” Alternatively, “Is This Really Over?” features a more lush and airy arrangement despite tackling the end of a relationship. It’s an interesting contradiction of lyrics versus melody as he could easily be singing about drinking a margarita on the beach, but is instead asking “Is this really over? // ’Cause I need some closure // And it’s 10 a.m. and I’m still gettin’ sober // Just call it a bad night,” He coos, showing a different side of his voice. “Don’t call it the last time // I feel that goodbye gettin’ closer and closer // Is this really over?”

“Forget About You” finds him admitting that “getting over you feels so wrong,” while “Where It Ends” finds him channeling his late 90’s alternative rock side, his voice sounding like it would’ve fit in perfectly in a decade where he wasn’t even born yet. Meanwhile, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” is a daring Johnny Cash cover. On the homage to the man in black, Zimmerman manages to stay true to the hand-clapping and swampy vibe of the original, adding a bit of his own take on the classic that could easily be released today.

“Forget About You” and “Pain Won’t Last” find him trying to move on from his heartbreak in an almost anthemic way, assuring himself and listeners that things are bound to get better, no matter how bleak things may seem. “You’re on the ground with scars from your past,” he proclaims on the latter. “You might be hurting now but the pain won’t last.”

“Found Your Love” is a simple and beautiful ode to falling in love in a special way, a bright spot amongst the heartbreak on the album. It’s the kind of simple ballad that would make a perfect wedding song or TikTok anniversary montage. With female background vocals and Jenee Fleenor’s haunting fiddle, it’s a special moment on the album, Zimmerman proclaiming, “I was a reckless child, a dead-end mile, living my life on the run… Never thought I’d hang it up, ’til I found your love.”

In many ways, Bailey Zimmerman’s Religiously. The Album. takes listeners through the five stages of grief after the ending of a relationship. Through the LP’s sixteen songs, there’s denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. He does this with the growl of a rock star mixed with the heart of a country storyteller.

Religiously. The Album Track List:

  1. Religiously
  2. Warzone
  3. Fix’n to Break
  4. Forest About You
  5. Chase Her
  6. Fall in Love
  7. You Don’t Want That Smoke
  8. Found Your Love
  9. Rock and a Hard Place
  10. Other Side of Lettin’ Go
  11. Pain Won’t Last
  12. Where It Ends
  13. God’s Gonna Cut You Down
  14. Fadeaway
  15. Get to Gettin’ Gone
  16. Is This Really Over?

Country Swag Picks:

  1. Fix’N to Break
  2. Religiously
  3. Warzone
  4. Found Your Love
  5. Pain Won’t Last
Bailey-zimmerman-debut-album

Bailey Zimmerman’s debut album, ‘Religiously. The Album’ 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 Bailey Zimmerman releases.

To keep up with Bailey Zimmerman, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Religiously. The Album 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.

Bailey-zimmerman-number-one

Bailey Zimmerman Goes Number One with “Rock And A Hard Place”

/in , , /by

Bailey Zimmerman earns his second number one song at country radio this week with “Rock And A Hard Place.” Learn all the details here.

It is always exciting when country radio boasts songs from new artists. Last year, Bailey Zimmerman earned his first number one song with his debut single, “Fall In Love.” Today, the emotive entertainer is going two for two, as “Rock And A Hard Place” is officially number one.

Singer-songwriter, Zimmerman is known for bringing emotion to the forefront of his music. His EP, Leave the Light On was praised by fans and industry alike. Written by the singer with Heath Warren, Jacob Hackworth, and Jet Black, “Rock And A Hard Place” is a heartbreaking song about grappling with mistakes and heartbreak.

“Between a rock and a hard place // Red wine and mistakes // Tears rollin’ down your face // When I walked out that door // And that’s when I lost it // A midnight in Austin // Damn, I’m exhausted // What the hell’s this all for? // Is this where it mends or it breaks? // Between a rock and a hard place”

Congratulations to Zimmerman and his team on their accomplishment. This is only the beginning for the budding artist, as he continues to open up for Morgan Wallen on his major arena tour.

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

To keep up with Bailey Zimmerman, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Rock And A Hard Place” 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.

Why Do So Many Country Artists Support St. Jude?

/in , /by

As a country music fan, year after year, it’s almost certain that you’ve found your favorite country music artists supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Whether through benefit concerts, posts on social media, or rocking the ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ tee, it’s pretty clear that St. Jude holds a very special place in the country music community. 

While the answer may seem obvious by brief definition alone, — St. Jude leads the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. To learn even more, Country Swag took a visit to St. Jude during the annual ‘Country Cares Seminar’ this fall.

Launched more than 30 years ago, Randy Owen from the band Alabama stood up during Nashville’s Annual Country Radio Seminar and asked his friends, colleagues, and radio partners to join together to help St. Jude and the children they serve, and so, the ‘Country Cares Seminar’ was born. The program unites more than 200 radio stations, influencers, and dozens of country music artists annually to raise awareness and support for St. Jude.

During the seminar, all guests are invited to tour St. Jude, located in Memphis, Tennessee, and see firsthand the inspirational work that the teams at St. Jude are doing. Upon the first introduction, guests learn about the organization and what exactly makes it so impactful and so special. Perhaps the most remarkable part is that thanks to very generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Families receive the best care in the world, at no cost, making the worst and darkest days of their lives a little bit brighter – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

In addition, St Jude’s research facility and labs are open 24/7 and freely share their findings, protocols, and breakthroughs, so that every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands of more children.

Thanks to generous donations, the brilliant teams at St. Jude have access to equipment that costs millions and millions of dollars, which just not all doctors and scientists everywhere have access to. This not only gives them the freedom to focus on what matters most — saving kids regardless of their financial situation, but they are able to share their discoveries and patients everywhere are getting treatments that were started at St. Jude. Consequently, when you’re donating to St. Jude, you’re not just donating to one hospital in one city, you’re funding the source and if speaking to cancer patients around the world, a common thread may be that many have been treated by protocols that have been sourced by St. Jude. St. Jude is actively working towards a world where no family ever has to hear the words “you have cancer”.

Seeing the work, hearing stories from doctors and patients alike, and understanding the experiences at St. Jude make it easy to recognize the importance of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and instantly inspires guests to get involved and help raise awareness. Next time you see your favorite artists talking about and supporting St. Jude it’s likely because they were able to have these experiences too and see firsthand the amazing work done at St. Jude.

Words like “inspiring”, “joy”, “positivity” and “healing” are just some of the many terms that came to mind for country artists like Breland, Kameron Marlowe, and Randy Owen, during their recent visit to St. Jude, as seen in the video above.

There are great research institutions, great hospitals, and great charities. St. Jude is all three. You can join the cause and help support St. Jude and the incredible initiative set forth by many country artists and celebrities alike with the ‘This Shirt Saves Lives’ t-shirt. For a monthly donation of just $19, you get the exclusive tee and all funds directly support the incredible St. Jude organization.

It costs over a million dollars daily to operate St. Jude each and every day. Donations allow St. Jude to continue to help children everywhere.

Join us and many of your favorite country artists like Carly Pearce, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, and Kelsea Ballerini, and help save lives.

To donate and get your own “This Shirt Saves Lives” t-shirt head to: musicgives.org.

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

Bailey-zimmerman-number-one

Bailey Zimmerman Earns First Number One Single with “Fall In Love”

/in , , /by

Bailey Zimmerman earns his first number one song at country radio this week with his debut single, “Fall In Love’.” Learn all the details here.

The country radio charts are buzzing with brand new artists cracking the top ten. Last week, Jackson Dean earned his first number one single at country radio, and now, Bailey Zimmerman is doing just the same. Zimmerman’s debut single, “Fall In Love” is officially the number one song at country radio this week.

Singer-songwriter, Zimmerman is known for bringing emotion to the forefront of his music. His EP, Leave the Light On was praised by fans and industry alike. Written by the singer with Austin Shawn and Gavin Lucas, “Fall In Love” is a heartbreaking song all about not wanting to love again. You can feel the authentic emotion pouring out of him throughout the single. It is no surprise that it hit the number one spot on the charts.

“‘Cause love’s a smoke ring // Wrapped around your finger // One second it’s a blessing // And the next it’s already gone // A broken heart, I’m a walking testimony // My confession is a lesson // That I’m pouring out in this song // Oh-whoa-whoa, oh-whoa-whoa // You don’t wanna fall in love // Oh-whoa-whoa, oh-whoa-whoa // You don’t wanna fall in love”

Congratulations to Zimmerman and his team on their accomplishment. This is only the beginning for the budding artist.

Bailey-zimmerman-number-one

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

To keep up with Bailey Zimmerman, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

“Fall In Love” 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.

Bailey-zimmerman-number-one

Bailey Zimmerman: ‘Leave the Light On’ – EP Review

/in , , , /by

Bailey Zimmerman’s new EP, Leave the Light On, is out now, October 14th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project below and check out our full review.

Whether you are going through a breakup or questioning if your significant other is the person you should be with, Bailey Zimmerman’s debut EP Leave the Light On is for you.

The eight track EP starts out with an intro from Zimmerman letting us know that these songs are real stories that he’s lived through. It truly takes us on an emotional journey of the beginning of the end of a relationship.

The first track is one of the more vulnerable tracks “Never Leave”. Relationships are not easy. Even the happiest couples argue and go through super tough moments. Written by Zimmerman, Austin Shawn, Chris Sligh, Gavin Lucas, and Mary Kutter,  “Never Leave” is a beautiful ballad that tells that story. It reminds us that we’re all human and make mistakes but it is possible to change. Zimmerman’s powerful vocals show heart, honesty, and pain. He reminds us all that you shouldn’t give up on the person you love.

Continuing with the theme of not wanting to believe that the relationship is over and trying to fight to stay together, “Waiting” and “House on Fire” are next. Zimmerman’s vulnerability shines through.

When relationships are on the cusp of ending, there’s normally one last ditch effort to try before the end and “From the Fall” and “Trainwreck” are just that. Zimmerman continues to show he isn’t afraid of letting listeners in on what he went through. 

Next comes the singer-songwriter’s debut single, “Fall in Love”. Written by Zimmerman, Austin Shawn, and Gavin Lucas, this track shows Zimmerman is not afraid to leave everything on the table. You can hear the anger in his voice singing about how his ex has moved on to a new relationship and doing things that he and her had talked about doing. Climbing its way into the Top 15 at country radio, “Fall in Love” has nearly 250 million streams worldwide and is the 11th most-streamed country song of the year. 

Written by Zimmerman, Heath Warren, Jacob Hackworth, and Jet Harvey, “Rock and a Hard Place” details what’s it like to be so in love with someone but deep down inside you know it isn’t working. You have to make that tough decision of staying and risk continuing to be unhappy or finally pulling the plug and being on your way to getting a fresh start. This track showcases Zimmerman’s strong vocals. He pours his emotions into the track which is what makes his voice so unique. 

“Where It Ends” closes out the EP. Written by Zimmerman, Joe London, Grant Averill, and Joe Spargur, the track makes you feel like you are in a western film with compelling instrumentals. It shares the story of the breakup. Zimmerman had wanted to give that relationship a second chance but ended up getting stabbed in the back. It’s painful but in the end it teaches you a valuable lesson of that’s not what true love should be. There is someone who deserves you out there.

Leave the Light On truly shows how talented Zimmerman is not only as a singer but as a storyteller as well. He developed this talent by listening to his Grandpa Zimmerman and his oldest friends at their family car dealership. Now, not only is Zimmerman sharing his own stories with the world but he’s hoping they make an impact on those going through a breakup. 

It’s almost been two years since Bailey Zimmerman’s career took off after he started sharing his music on TikTok in January and there are no signs of slowing down. He is currently on a sold-out tour and continues to climb the charts. He certainly has a bright future ahead with his honesty and unique sound. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Bailey Zimmerman – Leave the Light On EP Tracklist:

  1. “Intro”
  2. “Never Leave”
  3. “Waiting”
  4. “House on Fire”
  5. “From the Fall”
  6. “Trainwreck”
  7. “Fall in Love”
  8. “Rock and a Hard Place”
  9. “Where It Ends”
Bailey-zimmerman-ep

Bailey Zimmerman new EP, ‘Leave the Light On’ is out now.

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

To keep up with Bailey Zimmerman, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Leave the Night On EP 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.