Tag Archive for: Songland

Lady Antebellum Release “Champagne Night” from NBC’s Songland

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Champagne Night

At a time when most TV shows are on hiatus, the return on NBC’s hit show, Songland was a welcome change, especially for music lovers. The reality series, which had a successful season one last year, gives songwriters the chance to pitch songs directly to a guest artist. After a workshop period in which each songwriter teams up with one of the show’s three legendary producers, Ryan Tedder, Shane McAnally, and Ester Dean, the guest artist chooses which song they want to record and release. 

Songland, which features artists from all genres, kicked off season two with country trio Lady Antebellum. The Grammy-winning group was presented with four songs and in the end, chose an upbeat track called, “Champagne Night”. The song was written by Madeline Merlo with the help of mentor and producer McAnally and Lady A group members, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood. 

Champange Night

SONGLAND — “Lady Antebellum” — Pictured: (l-r) Ryan Tedder, Lady Antebellum, Shane McAnally, Ester Dean — (Photo by Trae Patton/NBC)

Lady Antebellum released the song and accompanying music video after the show’s broadcast. Given the fast tempo, summer feel and funky vibes, “Champagne Night” is sure to be a crowd favorite next time the trio hits the road.

“Raise them plastic cups to a life of luxury c’est la vie on a Friday / We get dressed up in a blue jean tux and we go where we don’t hear the highway / Don’t need doubles and bubbles to get in all kinds of trouble out in the country / Don’t need a crystal chandelier to have a real good time / We’re drinking beer on a champagne night”

Previous country stars featured on Songland include Kelsea Ballerini and Old Dominion. Florida Georgia Line and Martina McBride are set to appear later in season two.

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

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

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Olivia Lane Performs “Perfect Skin” on NBC’s Songland

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Olivia Lane Songland

Singer-songwriter and Houston native, Olivia Lane pitched her song “Perfect Skin” to featured artist, Leona Lewis last night on NBC’s Songland. Her song, however, was not chosen to record. Lewis instead selected “Solo Quiero (Somebody To Love)”, written by Rozee.

“Perfect Skin” made significant changes from when she first presented it to Leona and the producers. It started as a slow, piano ballad but after working in the studio with Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, Ester Dean, the song transformed into an up-tempo, EDM song. You can watch her Songland performance here!

“When your scars are who you are / and your flaws are where you’ve been / You’re beautiful / You don’t have to have perfect skin”

“I got to Nashville in 2013 and played every possible gig that I could,” Lane recalled. “I wasn’t taking care of myself, I wasn’t feeling beautiful, I wasn’t feeling strong and was just kind of defeated, so I wrote this song,” Lane explained.  “A lot of people struggle with self-image, so to have great, positive message to little girls, big girls; this song is perfect for Leona and just perfect for the world right now,” Dean praised.

We got to know Lane better when she was featured in one of our Swag Sessions in October of last year. You can tell by the way she presented herself on Songland that she is very passionate about music and songwriting. When Lewis chose her song to move onto the next portion of the show, Lane displayed the most ecstatic look on her face, skipped/danced off stage and screamed in excitement when the door closed behind her.

Songland gives four songwriters the opportunity to enjoy the spotlight for a change, allowing them to pitch their song to already established artists, like Leona Lewis. It demonstrates the long, complicated process that is involved with songwriting.

Although you will not hear Lewis’ rendition of “Perfect Skin”, you can listen to Lane’s original version anywhere you buy or stream music as well as other tracks by Lane, including her most recent EP, The One.

To keep up with Olivia Lane follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Check out more new released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Old Dominion Guest Star on Shane McAnally’s Show ‘Songland’

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Songland Old Dominion

Mike Spotz (@illkoncept) for NYCountry Swag

The 2019 ACM Vocal Group of the Year, Old Dominion was featured on NBC’s Songland last night. The five-member band, consisting of Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi, and front-man, Matthew Ramsey chose to record “Young”, written by Katelyn Tarver. The song, however, will not be featured on their upcoming album but in a never before seen Jeep commercial.

The commercial expresses how Jeep makes you feel young again. It shows scenes of an older couple reliving a moment from their younger days. Tarver stars as the young version of the wife as the video cuts back forth between the couple at a young age and them now, driving around in their electric blue-colored Jeep. We believe Old Dominion’s new song fits the commercial perfectly. Watch it for yourself here:

“Baby, I just wanna be young / Young forever with you”

In “Young”, Ramsey sings of how he wants to go back to his younger days when he and his significant other were the only two people in the world that mattered. When Tarver went into the studio with Shane McAnally to work on the song, they had to make it fit Old Dominion’s style and Jeep’s brand. They toughened the song up by adding a “pulsing bass” and changing the verses to help it lose its original femininity. When she performed “Young” the second time in front of the Chief Marketing Director at Jeep, Oliver Francois, she sang it with a male to better display its toughness.

“When I drive (with the) top-off my wrangler, I morph into this 26-year-old self of mine”, Francois said after hearing Tarver’s song. “That’s exactly what Jeep is about.”  Tarver, from Glennville, Georgia is an artist, herself. Just yesterday she released a new song titled “Sinking In”. For Old Dominion, “Young” is the first song the group has ever recorded that they didn’t write.

When you go to a concert or hear a song on the radio, the singer is always the center of attention. Songland gives four songwriters the opportunity to enjoy the spotlight for a change, allowing them to pitch their song to already established artists, like Old Dominion. It demonstrates the long, complicated process that is involved with songwriting.

Alongside Old Dominion in the song-editing process were three Grammy-winning/nominated songwriters in Ester Dean, Ryan Tedder, and McAnally, who appear on each episode of the show. Dean has written a number of smash hits including “Super Bass” by Nikki Minaj, “Firework” by Katy Perry and many by Rhianna including “Rude Boy”.

Tedder has a long resume when it comes to songwriting and producing. He has contributed to three Grammy-winning albums including Taylor Swift’s 1989 and Adele’s 21 and 25. Tedder also has a background it country music, writing songs for Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood and most recently, Thomas Rhett, contributing to two tracks on his latest album Center Point Road, “That Old Truck” and “Beer Can’t Fix”. Tedder has also had three singles reach the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 as the lead singer of his pop-rock group, One Republic, “Apologize”, “Good Life” and “Counting Stars”.

Shane McAnally is one of the most established writers in country music. He has written number-one hits for multiple artists including Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, and many others. McAnally has racked up a number of awards with singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves, including the 2019 Grammy Awards for Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”) and Album of the Year (Golden Hour).

Old Dominion’s new self-titled album comes out on October 25th. The Nashville-based group has released five songs from the album thus far, including the lead single, “Make It Sweet”.

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

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

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Kelsea Ballerini Releases Track from Songland “Better Luck Next Time”

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Better Luck Next Time

The craft of songwriting is finally getting the platform and recognition it deserves with songwriter extraordinaire, Shane McAnally’s new show Songland. The show gives up and coming songwriters the chance to compete to have one of their tracks released by an established singer in the industry. In one of the latest episodes of the series, country music’s princess, Kelsea Ballerini fell in love with songwriter, Darius Coleman’s song “Better Luck Next Time,” and ultimately chose to record his song. Earlier last week, she recorded and released the new crossover jam.

Ballerini transforms the song effortlessly, adding her confident attitude and skillful weaving of genres to the song. According to Coleman, the track was written for a friend, who was cheated on. Although slower-paced and a bit more melancholy, with Pop, R&B, and EDM influences, the tracks’ message is reminiscent of the songstress’ empowering anthem, “Miss Me More” which just hit the top spot on the country charts.

The song is filled with cleverly woven together lyrics, such as “hit like a shot of tequila without the lime” and “we tried it, but when two hearts, don’t light up, you can’t fight it.” Ballerini brings the words to life with her soothing, but distinct vocals; however, its the rhythmic chorus that will be stuck in your head after just one listen, “I got myself together / got a new attitude / Hope that I see you never / I”m so over you / Got myself together, you’re out of my mind / Now all that I can say is / Better luck next time / Better luck next time.”

Catch the next episode of Songland on Tuesday, June 18th featuring the Jonas Brothers. As for Ballerini, the singer wrapped up her headlining tour with Brett Young and Brandon Ratcliff and her song “Miss Me More” went number one on country radio. Additionally, she has plans to play at various festivals and fairs this summer. Make sure to check out kelseaballerini.com for more information.

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

“Better Luck Next Time” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen above and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here 
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