DISClaimer: Tenille Townes, The Randy Rogers Band, Tim Dugger Top New Tracks

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It’s a spread-the-love kinda day here at DISClaimer.

We have three Disc of the Day winners. The female prize goes to the always awesome Tenille Townes. Our male winner is Tim Dugger, another dependable artist. The group award belongs to veteran crowd pleasers The Randy Rogers Band. All three of these acts deserve far more radio airplay than they are currently receiving.

We have no newcomers today, and thus no DisCovery honoree.

DRAKE WHITE/Eat, Drink & Dream
Writer: Drake White/Tommy Cecil/Greylan James; Publisher: none listed; Producers: Jaren Johnston & Drake White; Reverend White Records
-Loose limbed, rhythmic and funky. It is somewhat over-produced, since it doesn’t give you a sense of what a strong singer/performer this guy is. But I remain a fan.

TENILLE TOWNES/The Most Beautiful Things
Writers: Gordie Sampson/Josh Kear/Tenille Townes; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce; Columbia
-She is a treasure. This touching ballad meditates about the glorious beauty that is all around us, but seldom noticed. Moving and meaningful.

JESSI ALEXANDER & RANDY HOUSER/Country Music Made Me Do It
Writers: Jessi Alexander/John Osborne/TJ Osborne; Producers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall Stewart/Leslie Richter; Publisher: none listed; Lost Creek
-This is a rump shaker, complete with a pumpin’ backbeat and twangin’ lead guitar. Not to mention two of our most outstanding vocalists. Tap your toes and bop along.

KAREN WALDRUP & WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Me Again
Writers: Danny Wells/Karen Waldrup/Phillip White; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; KW
-I’m not sure what Morgan is doing on this track. He murmurs along charmingly, but it’s really her performance from top to bottom. It’s a lovely ballad about love rescuing a broken spirit.

TIM DUGGER/Home Away From Home
Writers: Andrew DeRoberts/Andy Albert/Devin Dawson; Producer: Brandon Hood; Publisher: none listed; Curb
-I like it that it is a stone-country lyric married to an ultra contemporary production. He sings with warmth and charm about your favorite watering hole. It might be a dive, but it’s where everybody knows your name. I’m into this.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/Fire’t Up
Writers: Brandon Day/Brantley Gilbert/Justin Weaver; Producer: Brandon Day; Publisher: Indiana Angel Music, Songs Of Rhythm House, Songs Of Roc Nation Music, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Songs Of Peer, Sound Wagon Songs; BMLG
– Brantley’s party invitation promises like a raucous, rocking good time. It’s kinda brainless and repetitive, but maybe that’s what makes it work.

SHERYL CROW & CITIZEN COPE/Lonely Town, Lonely Street
Writer: Bill Withers; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Steve Jordan; SC
-Sheryl is here to remind us that we lost one of the greats last week. Bill Withers created “Grandma’s Hands,” “Use Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me,” then completely dropped out of the music game more than 30 years ago. I’ve never forgotten him, and neither should you. Let this insistent R&B groover serve as a memorial.

RANDY ROGERS BAND/You, Me and a Bottle
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Kenton Bryant/Randy Rogers; Publisher: none listed; Producers: Tommy Jackson; Thirty Tigers
-Don’t let the title mislead you. It’s really quite sweet and romantic. These guys always seem to hit emotional targets perfectly.

MACKENZIE PORTER/These Days
Writers: Mackenzie Porter/Parker Welling/Jordan Sapp; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Mackenzie Porter/Tunes By Trailerparker/Songs of Home Team, no performance rights listed; Producer: Joey Moi/Dave Cohen; Big Loud
-The nostalgia in the lyric is touching. Unfortunately, the over-produced and too-pop track makes it almost impossible to grasp.

TEDDY ROBB/ Me On You
Writers: Deric Ruttan/Ryan Beaver; Producer: Shane McAnally/Ben Fowler/Matt McGinn; Publisher: none listed; Monument
-This continues his perfect winning streak. The steady rhythm and chiming guitar work is mixed perfectly beneath his ultra cool vocal performance. A breezy, uplifting ride through springtime. Climb on board.

DISClaimer: Thomas Rhett, Jordan Davis, Orville Peck Top New Releases

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Thomas Rhett, Jordan Davis, Orville Peck

It’s country-ballad day here at DISClaimer.

Maybe it’s the dreadful time we’re living in or maybe it’s a coincidence, but lots of guys in this listening session are gazing inward and slowing things down. Whatever the cause, there’s some terrifically moving stuff here.

Our duos Florida Georgia Line and Big & Rich are rocking, but the listening session was dominated by the slowies offered by Kenny Rogers, Kane Brown & John Legend, Jordan Davis, Kip Moore and Thomas Rhett. I’m calling this a photo finish for Disc of the Day between the bearded men, Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis.

If you haven’t already been hip to Orville Peck, now is your chance to catch up with this left-field wonder. He’s our DisCovery Award winner.

ORVILLE PECK/Summertime
Writer: Orville Peck; Producer: Orville Peck; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
– Deep, deep twang and big, big drama infuse this slow, echoey ballad. His throaty vocal hails from the jumpsuit-Elvis era, which catches your ear right away. This theatrical masked man is kind of a country “performance artist.” Different and oddball, maybe. But heaven knows we can use a little “different” in this hidebound genre.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/I Love My Country
Writers:Corey Crowder/Ernest Keith Smith/Ryan Vojtesak; Producers: Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
-This rompin’ stomper is the feel-good anthem for the warm days to come. At a time when everybody else seems intent on sounding like a pop act, this loud-and-proud ditty is country to the core.

BIG & RICH/Stay Home
Writer: Charlie Pennachio/John Rich/Larry Gatlin/Phillip Anthony McDaniel; Producer: Big & Rich/Nick Brophy listed; Publisher: none listed; Thirty Tigers
-A country rocker with a coronavirus-containment lyric that has built-in smiles.

THOMAS RHETT/Be A Light
Writer: Thomas Rhett/Josh Miller/Josh Thompson/Matt Dragstrem; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
-I choked up and my eyes brimmed with tears because of the powerfully beautiful message here. In a world of madness, this is, indeed, a shining light. Rhett’s guests on this include Reba, Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin and Hillary Scott. Proceeds benefit MusicCares.

RYAN GRIFFIN/Going Going Gone
Writers: Ben Johnson/Jason Duke/Ryan Griffin; Producer: Mark Trussell; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Pop-urban-hiphop blah blah blah.

KENNY ROGERS/Goodbye
Writer: Lionel Richie; Producer: Tony Brown; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– It was written as a break-up song, but in light of Kenny’s passing it takes on an extraordinary poignancy. It’s pretty dang hard not to be touched by this ballad. I still think Kenny is one of the great voices. Framed by strings and piano, he shines as brightly as ever on this swan song. Farewell, Kenny. I’m grateful for the music you left us.

KELSEA BALLERINI & HALSEY/The Other Girl
Writers: Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally/Ashley Frangipane/Kelsea Ballerini; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Publisher: Sony ATV/Kobalt/Warner Chappell; Black River
– There already is a Taylor Swift. And she’s better than this.

JORDAN DAVIS/Detours
Writers: David Turnbull/Jacob Davis/Jordan Davis; Publishers: Anthem Entertainment; Producer: none listed; MCA Nashville
-Very cool and super expressive. He’s thoughtful, meditative and reflective as he takes us through the wrong turns of life that led him to goodness. I was with him on every note. This deserves to be a smash.

KIP MOORE/Wild World
Writers: Josh Miller/Kip Moore; Producer: Kip Moore/David Garcia; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
-Kip slows it down and gives life a harder look while a chubby rhythm track and tastefully spare guitar work give his soulful vocal extra oomph.

KANE BROWN & JOHN LEGEND/Last Time I Say Sorry
Writers: Kane Brown/John Legend/Matt McGinn/Andrew Goldstein; Producer: Andrew Goldstein; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– We’ve all been here. How many times have we hurt the one we love and then felt a regret so deep that it’s in your bones? Legend’s piano anchors the arrangement and both voices soar mightily. Well done, you two.

DISClaimer: Buddy Brown Offers Some Humor In Troubled Times With "The Coronavirus Song"

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Buddy Brown

Name attractions on indie labels is today’s theme.

Brett James, John Anderson, Delta Rae, Dean Miller and Sara Evans all used to record for major conglomerates. Now they’re all here under their own steam, sounding as good as ever.

In fact, Miller snags a Disc of the Day prize for his new slab of sound. Pay heed also to Jenee Fleenor‘s tough little rocker.

Give a DisCovery Award to Buddy Brown. I guarantee he’s make you smile and provide you with a light-hearted view of the pickle that we’re in.

DEAN MILLER/1965
Writer: Dean Miller; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; DM
-Awesome. His singing has never sounded more resonant and powerful. The song is stirring, nostalgic, pulse-quickening and truth telling. Play it once and you are hooked completely.

JOHN ANDERSON/I’m Still Hanging On
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dan Auerbach and Dave Ferguson; Publisher: none listed; Easy Eye Sound
– This guy is one of the great country vocal stylists. World weary, yet hopeful and somehow sweet, this soars with echoey atmosphere. Lay back and let this superb production roll over ya.

BUDDY BROWN/The Coronavirus Song
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
– It’s a YouTube video with this dude playing guitar and sitting on the tailgate of his pickup truck with Clorox disinfectant products and toilet paper stacked behind him. It’s country and cute as the dickens. The virus might not be funny, but the song is. There’s a follow-up, too. It’s called “I Got a Case of Corona.” This man is performing an important public service. I believe they call it morale boosting. Play and smile.

JENEE FLEENOR/Good Ol’ Girls
Writers: Jenee Fleenor; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TuneCore
– The CMA’s Instrumentalist of the Year rocks out on this fiddle-driven quick stepper. Her drawl is charming as is the country name-dropping lyric. The recording session sounds like it must have been blast. Lend this lady your ears.

JASON ALDEAN/Got What I Got
Writers: Alexander Palmer/Michael Tyler Spragg/Thomas Archer; Producer: Michael Knox; Publisher: peermusic; BBR
– Despite her concerns, he swears he’s content and happy with her. The echo-chamber production helps what are otherwise fairly routine proceedings.

AVENUE BEAT/Ruin That For Me
Writers: Justin Ebach/Samantha Backoff/Savana Santos/Sami Bearden; Producer: David Garcia/Ashley Gorley/Santos/Justin Ebach/John Dennis/Salvatore; Memory Days/Curb Wordspring/Big Blue Nation/Indent; BMLG
– The female trio harmonies are as smooth as a Dairy Queen cone. The lyric is a girlie-survival treatise. Catchy, commercial and cool.

SARA EVANS/If I Can’t Have You
Writers: Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb/Robin Gibb; Producer: Evans/Jarrad K; Publisher: none listed; Born to Fly
-Yes, it’s the 1978 Yvonne Elliman pop hit penned by The Bee Gees for Saturday Night Fever. Who can resist? Those boys sure knew how to craft a hooky melody.

ERIC ETHRIDGE/Dream Girl
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Jennifer Schott/William Bradford Weatherly Jr.; Producer: Brian Howes/Jason Van Poederooyen; Publisher: none listed; EE
– She’s left, so now she only exists in his dreams. He sings well, and the well-crafted song has an excellent pedigree, as well as lotsa hooks. Ethridge is regarded as a promising up-and-comer in his homeland, Canada.

DELTA RAE/Only In America
Writer: Eric Holljes/Ian Holljes; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; DR
– This genre-defying sextet has released its first crowd-funded indie project, The Light. This political track from it shouts for Southern progressivism. It’s basically saying that it’s great that we’ve tackled segregation and women’s suffrage, but that the country still has a long way to go. The production becomes too busy-sounding as it strives to make an Important Statement.

BRETT JAMES/True Believer
Writer: Brett James; Producer: Brett James; Publisher: Songs of Brett, ASCAP; Ingrooves/Label Logic (track)
– This Music Row songwriting superstar (25 No. 1 hits) has also had a recording career at several points in his journey. His new EP drops tomorrow [Friday] and is titled I Am Now. The five-song set concludes with this touching ballad of reassurance and shelter, written for his daughter. It’s beautifully framed with an arrangement involving acoustic guitar and string quartet. His vocal is a soul-drenched with greatness. Essential listening.

DISClaimer: Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson Offer New Musical Gems

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This week, the Americana music winners come two-by-two.

In a DisClaimer first, the tie for the Disc of the Day award is a father and son. That would be Willie Nelson and his boy Lukas Nelson.

There are also two DisCovery Award winners in this stack of Americana platters. They are singer-songwriters Sarah Peacock and Van Darien. Heed them both.

LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL/Couldn’t Break Your Heart
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producer: John Alga and Promise of the Real; Publisher: none listed; Fantasy
– Audio ecstasy. The band is super tight, rolling along with a steady thump, some echoey atmosphere and high, keening electric and steel notes. Lukas rides atop the enchanting production with a plaintive, spot-on vocal of heart, head and soul. This is a foretaste of the act’s collection Naked Garden, which drops a week from Friday (3/27).

WILLIE NELSON/Our Song
Writer: Chris Stapleton; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Legacy
-This soft, meditative ballad completely envelopes you with its intimacy and warmth. A simple, gentle production, Willie’s guitar and an almost whispered vocal cuddle up next to you like loved ones. I swooned over this. The track comes from his forthcoming 70th (!) album, First Rose of Spring. It is due April 24, and Willie turns 87 five days later. May I remind you that he has won Grammy Awards the past two years in a row? The man is still at the top of his game.

THE SECRET SISTERS/Late Bloomer
Writers: Laura and Lydia Rogers; Producers: Brandi Carlile, Tim Hanseroth, Phil Hanseroth; Publisher: none listed; New West
– Languid and folkie, this has a certain simple charm. But it is a little too pristine and pretty for my taste.

JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/What I’ve Done To Help
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Southeastern/Thirty Tigers
– Soulful and fiery, with his usual searing honesty. A new highlight in a catalog that’s already full of memorable moments.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE/Emmylou
Writer: Soderberg; Producers: Darin Alridge/Mark Fain; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
– Brooke possesses one of the most gripping voices in all of country music, and Darin’s harmony work tugs at every heart string. Their little falsetto leaps in this enchanting song tickle the ears at every turn. This lovable couple is marketed as bluegrass, but their appeal is so much broader than that. Every music lover on earth needs to hear the magic that they make. And, yes, I did pen the liner notes for their exquisite current CD.

BOBBY BARE/The Day All The Yes Men Said No
Writers: Shel Silverstein; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
-Let’s face it, the wry, dry Bare and the wry, dry and high Silverstein were made for each other. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member (1930-1999) wrote hits for Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Dr. Hook, Brenda Lee, Dave & Sugar, Waylon Jennings, The Irish Rovers, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. But his collaborations with Bare have always been special events.

SARAH PEACOCK/Burn The Witch
Writers: Sheena Brook/Sarah Peacock; Producer: Shawn Byrne; Publisher: none listed; Road Dog
– The rumbling bass undertow, heartbeat cello and mysterious atmosphere are perfect for her haunting soprano delivery of this poetic, evocative saga. This Music City troubadour is cool and different, and I fell for her at once. Think about the wail and passion of the Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick mixed with the dark, magical swirl of Stevie Nicks and you’ll be in the general vicinity. Elsewhere on her Burn the Witch CD, she’s a folk-pop diva with plenty to say.

WEBB WILDER/Night Without Love
Writer: R.S. Field; Producers: Webb Wilder/George Bradfute; Publisher: Sharp Circle/ASCAP; Landslide
– This great Music City rock showman is back with a romping, thoroughly Americana collection that includes slabs of sound penned by the likes of Russell Smith, Los Lobos and Chip Taylor, not to mention six of his own individualistic concoctions. The title tune is a light-hearted skip through a countrified ditty, complete with steel guitar. Don’s worry, the CD has a bluesy take on “Hi Heel Sneakers,” too.

VAN DARIEN/Levee
Writers: Van Darien/Ryan Michael; Producer: Steven Cooper/J.D. Tiner; Publisher: none listed; Mechanical Heart
– I dig her throaty alto as well as her evocative lyrics. This is the atmospheric title tune of a collection that sends repeated waves of liquid sound over you. This Texas-to-Tennessee transplant is essentially an introspective folk-flavored troubadour with a healthy dose of deep soul. Start your welcome-to-Nashville applause right now, because this is one of the most promising debut discs I’ve heard this year.

THE CARTER FAMILY/Farther Along
Writer: traditional; Producer: John Carter Cash; Publisher: public domain; Reviver Legacy
– This fascinating collection came out late last year. It’s titled Across the Generations because it combines voices of this legendary dynasty from first generation (Sara, Maybelle), to second generation (Anita, June, Helen), third generation (Carlene, John Carter Cash, Dale Jett. Lorrie Carter Bennett, David Carter Jones), fourth (Tiffany Anastasia Lowe, AnnaBelle Cash, Tucker Jett) and even fifth (Flo Wolfe, Adrianna Cross, Lux Darling, Jacob Strong). This set-opening track features Sara with descendants Dale and Adrianna. Elsewhere, you’ll hear ear-opening new treatments of such Carter chestnuts as “Gold Watch and Chain,” “Worried Man Blues,” “I Never Will Marry,” “Foggy Mountain Top” and, of course, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” This, my friends, is the definition of American folk music. Not to mention the original foundation of country music.

DISClaimer: Mickey Guyton’s "What Are You Gonna Tell Her?" Leads New Releases

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It’s country-feminism day here at DISClaimer with female singles dominating the mix from top to bottom.

Randall King, Jackson Michelson and Hot Country Knights are all scoring runs. But the grand-slam homers are all by women—Maddie & Tae, Maren Morris, Jewel and our Disc of the Day awardee, Mickey Guyton.

Our DisCovery Award winner this week is Joe Hanson. Please send more.

MADDIE & TAE/Bathroom Floor
Writers: Josh Kerr/Maddie Marlow/Taylor Dye; Producer: Derek Wells/Jimmy Robbins; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville
– Feisty, rocking, empowering and clever. Their harmonies are super tight. The lyric has “girl power.” The production punches and pounds. An absolute delight.

JACKSON MICHELSON/One Day
Writers: Jackson Michelson/Justin Ebach/Matt Alderman; Producer: Jeff Pardo; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Very sweet. Parenthood has seldom sounded better. The passage of time gets a lovely word portrait as he describes a little girl growing up and the nostalgia of her mom and dad as they age along.

JOE HANSON/Part of Me
Writers: Victoria Banks/Justin Morgan/Joe Hanson; Producer: Austin Shawn; Publisher: none listed; 117
– The track is kinda nervous sounding. His jaunty tenor has an emotional tug. Promising.

MICKEY GUYTON/What Are You Gonna Tell Her
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Karen Kosowski/Victoria Banks/Emma-Lee; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– She created a sensation with this at CRS. It’s an echoey piano ballad about the reality of gender discrimination. You tell the growing girl to believe in herself, just to dash her dreams when she grows up. “You built her up, just so the world could let her down.” Now, what are we gonna do to make this a more fair and just place? And can we start with country radio?

HOT COUNTRY KNIGHTS/Moose Knuckle Shuffle
Writers: Brett Beavers/Brett Tyler/Buddy Brock/Chase McGill/Dan Hochhalter/Jim Beavers/Zach Turner; Producers: Dierks Bentley; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– Remember line dancing? And high tight jeans that accentuated his package? I thought so.

JEWEL/No More Tears
Writer: Jewel/Thomas James Profitt; Producer: Thomas James Profitt; Publisher: none listed; Words Matter/Orchard
– This is part of the soundtrack of a film about homeless youth in America. She knows all about this topic, and it sounds like it in every dramatic note in this penetrating ballad. Soulful and real.

RANDALL KING/She Gone
Writers: Chris Stevens/Randall King; Producers: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
-Country, country, country. Tempo, tempo, tempo. Love it, love it, love it.

RUTHIE COLLINS/Joshua Tree
Writers: Luke Sheets/Ruthie Collins; Producer: Ruthie Collins/Wes Harlee; Publisher: none listed; Sidewalk/Curb
– Shimmering strings. Aching soprano delivery. Heartbreak song. Wide-open-spaces production. What’s not to like?

MAREN MORRIS/To Hell and Back
Writers: Maren Morris/Laura Veltz/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: Morris/busbee; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
– Swirling audio around a midtempo relationship song. The gal sure can sing.

FILMORE/Blue Skies
Writers: Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Tyler Filmore; Producer: Jesse Frasure/Zach Abend; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– I remain a fan. But he can do better than this rambling, aimless tune, and has.

DISClaimer: Dixie Chicks’ "Gaslighter" Is "A Total Blast From Start To Finish"

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Greatness is timeless.

That’s the message in today’s DisClaimer column. Some of the best music in this stack comes from veterans like Pam Tillis, the Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban and Bobby Bare. In fact, the Dixie Chicks ride off with the Disc of the Day award.

Among our newcomers today, Stephanie Nash sounds like a real comer to me. Give that lady a DisCovery Award.

SEAN STEMALY/Come Back To Bed
Writers: Sean Stemaly/Andy Albert/Jared Mullins/Alysa Vanderheym; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: Buzz Light Beer Music (ASCAP), Tree Vibez Music/Mullins It Over Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), BMG Platinum Songs US (BMI), Castle Bound Music, Inc. (SESAC); Big Loud
-The lyric is super sexy. The monotonic melody is a turn off.

STEPHANIE NASH/Best Side of Me
Writers: Stephanie Nash/Logan Tucker/Ethan Willis/Jody Chappell; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed; SN
– This has a very cool, dark, rocking undertow that is gripping and ear catching. Her confident, penetrating vocal delivery smacks every note resoundingly. The “rebel” lyric is a winner, too. Play it.

PAM TILLIS/Looking for a Feeling
Writers: Pam Tillis/Waylon Payne; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stellar Cat
– I have always loved the smoky soul in this woman’s voice. On this title track of her forthcoming album, she luxuriates in a deep-South, bluesy groove while painting portraits of friends, neighbors and kin. Can’t wait to hear the rest of what promises to be a landmark collection.

DON RAY/Band of Gypsies
Writers: Don Ray/Tony Paoletta; Producer: Tony Paoletta/Don Ray; Publisher: Margdon/Sister Spike, BMI; Margdon (track)
– It’s a slow, drawling, brooding, dramatic tale about refusing to give in to the demands of the music biz. He stands by his “outlaw” friends in his band when the Man tells him to leave them behind. But he sounds so darned flat-footed and boring while doing it.

DIXIE CHICKS/Gaslighter
Writers: Emily Strayer/Jack Antonoff/Martie Maguire/Natalie Maines; Producers: Dixie Chicks/Jack Antonoff; Publisher: none listed; SME/Columbia
– This is a total blast from start to finish. The trio goes all sassy and feisty, bitch-slapping a no-good ex who made off with the money. The vocal harmonies are stunning. The beat is relentless. The mood is firecracker explosive. In a word, fabulous. In another word, “Yaaaaaay!”

CAITLYN SMITH/Supernova
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Aimee Mayo; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Monument
– The title tune of Smith’s sophomore CD is a gorgeous, sad, haunting ballad. Time is fleeting, and we are all must grow and leave our childhoods behind. The echoey atmosphere and spare piano accompaniment are as mesmerizing as her aching vocal delivery.

KEITH URBAN/God Whispered Your Name
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– It’s a romantic slow-burn groover with touches of quiet-storm soul. Extremely glossy and listenable. A big hit, for sure.

KELSEA BALLERINI/Hole in the Bottle
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Black River
– Snappy and coy, this little bopper excuses her wino problem because she’s nursing a busted heart. Cleverly written. Delightfully sung.

BOBBY BARE/Living Legend
Writer: Shel Silverstein; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
– The Country Music Hall of Famer is wry and ironic on this self-referential two-step about a fading folk singer. He recollects past glories and regrets the pills while pleading for a one more gig. You kiddies who don’t know who the late Shel Silverstein is need to stop what you’re doing right now and research his brilliant songwriting catalog.

THE REVENUE MAN/Tennessee Sunset
Writers: Denny Rudolph/Glenn Brown; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TRM (track)
– This unusual billing belongs to singer-songwriter Glenn Hunter Brown. His debut CD is titled 25 Years Behind and features this wistful meditation on a romance he foolishly let slip away. His weathered, lived-in voice has a plain-spoken beauty, and the simple, eloquent production is perfect for the nostalgia in the lyric. Also check out his countrified reading of Elvis Costello’s “(What’s So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding.” Americana programmers take note, as well.

DISClaimer: Caylee Hammack Takes The Lead

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The ladies are gettin’ it done, today.

All of our Disc of the Day contenders come from female artists. For bounce with flounce, we have RaeLynn. For aching survival, there’s Caylee Hammack. For poetic artistry and meditation, we present Gretchen Peters. For topical feminism, check out Tenille Townes. All of them are essential listening experiences. Since she is the newest kid on the block, I’m giving Caylee Hammack the nod.

There’s only one true newcomer here. That’s Payton Smith, who earns himself a DisCovery Award.

CAYLEE HAMMACK/Small Town Hypocrite
Writers: Hammack/Jared Scott; Producers: Caylee Hammack/Mikey Reaves; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– Uber cool. The track is a perfect wonder, beginning in acoustic simplicity and slowly adding steel, mandolin, keyboards, electric-guitar and echo to create a gorgeous tapestry. And that’s not even best thing about it. The lyric is extraordinary, relating the saga of a woman who sets aside her dreams for a no-good guy, then summons the strength to move on. The vocal performance is quite moving, radiating vulnerability, heartache, bitterness and honesty. All in all, a fabulous little record.

AMERICAN YOUNG/Some Girl
Writers: Jacob Powell/Jon Stone/Kristy Osmunson/Kylie Schlienger; Producer: American Young/Schlienger; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Jon Stone, who is one-half of this duo, appears regularly on a reality E! TV series titled Very Cavallari. That is where the act debuted this song last month. It’s a punchy, pop-ish ballad carried along by his strong, emotional lead vocal. Partner Kristy Osmunson is practically inaudible.

BRANDON RATCLIFF/Rhiannon
Writers: Stevie Nicks; Producer: Peter Good; Publisher: none listed; Monument
– This has the same guitar line, the same percussion and the same vibe as the Fleetwood Mac original. Brandon does bring a fresh vocal approach. But the effort is futile, since the 1976 rock hit is so iconic and so perfect that there is simply no way to improve on it. And then there’s the fact that Stevie Nicks devotees are so fanatical that they will want to burn him at the stake for even trying.

JIMMIE ALLEN & NOAH CYRUS/This Is Us
Writers: Noah Cyrus/Tyler Hubbard/Jordan Schmidt/Ilsey Juber/Dernst Emile II; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Miley’s kid sister teams with country up-and-comer Jimmie on this swirling, genre-bending confection that they perform in unison. Some harmony singing would have been nice, but it is still very appealing ear candy.

GRETCHEN PETERS/The Night You Wrote That Song
Writer: Mickey Newbury; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Scarlet Letter
– This is the title tune of Gretchen’s forthcoming (in May) album saluting the repertoire of her fellow Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Mickey Newbury. He was always an outstanding poet and her languid, soulful alto brings out every nuance in this waltzing ballad’s wistful, meditative lyric. As a massive fan of both of these troubadours, I was in heaven during each and every note of this. I urge you to listen.

WILLIE NELSON/First Rose of Spring
Writers: Randy Houser/Allen Shamblin/Mark Beeson; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: none listed; Legacy
– This age-defying legend won his 10th Grammy a few weeks ago. The title tune of his upcoming 70th album is a nostalgic, slow ballad about a romance that died long ago. He’ll be turning 87 years old when the rest of the project sees the light of day, but based on this preview, Willie sounds younger than yesterday.

TENILLE TOWNES/In My Blood
Writer: Tenille Townes; Producer: Jordan Hamlin; Publisher: none listed; Columbia Nashville
– This award-winning singer-songwriter penned this to honor female farmers. That is her heritage, so the lyric is honest and autobiographical. Fittingly, it is recorded with an all-female band and is introduced via a female-produced music video. I am hypnotized every time I hear her sing, and this time is no exception.

TUCKER BEATHARD/You Would Think
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Donovan Woods; Producer: Jordan Rigby/Ryan Tyndell/Tucker Beathard; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– I remain a big fan. This hurtin’ tune features a brightly mixed lead vocal performance backed by a crunchy audio concoction that shudders and crashes in all the right places. With every release, this fellow sounds more and more talented.

PAYTON SMITH/Like I Knew You Would
Writers: Payton Smith/Dan Fernandez/Ronnie Bowman; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
– The joy and the dizzy, giddy rush of young love. Utterly charming.

RAELYNN/Keep Up
Writers: RaeLynn/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Steven Lee Olsen; Producer:Corey Crowder; Publisher: Big Tree Vibez Music/Queens Write Hits/Georgia Song Vibez/Big Crowd Publishing/Big Loud Shirt/Rhythm House; Round Here Records
-Lotsa fun. It’s a twang-banger with a feisty-female lyric and a dancefloor rhythm that are both as cute as a button. Best line: “My lipstick matches the shade of my neck.” Best rhyme: “Country boys sure know how to have fun, but let me show you how a country girl gets it done.” She can out-drink, out-drive and out-dance you, buster.

DISClaimer: Travis Denning, Avenue Beat, Brandy Clark, Sophie Sanders Top New Tracks

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Travis Denning

All of the ingredients for a perfect DisClaimer are here.

We have a superstar (Luke Bryan), some brand-new folks (Jake Rose, Avenue Beat, Sophie Sanders, Lindsay Bowman), a healthy proportion of female voices (Brandy Clark, Lauren Lucas and the afore-mentioned Bowman, Sanders and Avenue Beat) and some of my favorite up-and-comers (Filmore, Travis Denning, King Calaway).

All told, it is an embarrassment of riches.

In a tough, tough field, the clever track by Travis Denning eaks out a Disc of the Day prize, but not without stiff competition from Clark, Filmore and King Calaway.

The DisCovery Award choice was just as tough. It goes to Avenue Beat, with Sophie Sanders as a super strong challenger.

LINDSAY BOWMAN/You Don’t Get To Know
Writer: Lindsay Bowman; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed; BMI; LB
– She has a bluesy, throaty vocal quality that she puts to good use on this defiant break-up anthem. The minor-key melody gives her room to toss in plenty of soul-sister effects. Promising.

LUKE BRYAN/Born Here Live Here Die Here
Writers: Jake Mitchell/Jameson Rodgers/Josh Thompson; Producer: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– It begins as a ballad, then picks up some steam after the first stanza. Tempo-wise, it never seems to resolve that tension and make up its mind. Lyric-wise, it’s a splendid evocation and salute to little-village life. Which is to say, it fits him like a glove.

TRAVIS DENNING/Abby
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Matt Jenkins/Chase McGill; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
– Very cute. He’s breaking up with her. Is there someone else? You bet, and her name is A-B-B-Y, which stands for “Any Body But You.” Put your ears on this right now. This guy is definitely on a roll.

BRANDY CLARK/Love Is a Fire
Writers: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music
– For my money, this is the radio world’s most criminally overlooked artist on today’s country scene. The woman is a genius writer and a delicious vocalist. This swooning ballad is yet another example of how involving, enchanting and downright commercial her work is. For God’s sake, play her. The new album is titled Your Life Is a Record and it drops on March 6. I’ll be the first in line to buy a copy.

AVENUE BEAT/Be a Bro
Writers: Sam Backoff/Sami Bearden/Savana Santos/Summer Overstreet; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Valory Music Co.
– Delightful. The creamy, female-trio harmonies, clever lyrics and frothy production are all ear-tickling. A sheer pleasure from opening beat to closing note.

KING CALAWAY/No Matter What
Writers: Andy Albert/Devin Dawson/Jordan Schmidt/Mitchell Tenpenny/Paul DiGiovanni; Producer: Robert Deaton/Ross Copperman; Publisher: none listed; BBR
– This is ridiculously catchy. These six fellows are so hooky and polished and flawless it is almost scary. You’d have to be deaf to resist their audio charms.

SOPHIE SANDERS/All My Friends Are Married
Writer: Sophie Sanders; Producer: Paul Sikes; Publishers: Songs of the Sanderosa; SS
– Sophie is the daughter of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Mark D. Sanders. Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as they say. She displays totally wry, worthy songwriting chops here, not to mention a dreamy, atmospheric production and a languid, lovely singing voice. A single to get lost inside. Oh, and don’t miss her kitty cat’s guest vocal toward the end.

FILMORE/My Place
Writers: John-Luke Carter/Justin Ebach/Tyler Filmore; Producer: John-Luke Carter/Zach Abend; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– He sounds so welcoming and friendly here. The gist of it is, come and hang out with him at his house anytime you feel like it, because the party never stops. There’s just something about this creative and unique fellow that I dig.

JAKE ROSE/Tractor Town
Writers: J. Rose/B. Tyler/B. Beavers; Producers: Kevin Kadish/Nathan Chapman/Jake Rose; Publisher: none listed; Starts With Music
– The boyish, tenor vocal is perfect for the innocence in this vividly penned, small-town lyric. The crunchy production boosts things, too. A promising disc debut.

LAUREN LUCAS/Addicted to the Rain
Writers: Lauren Lucas/Jim Reilley; Producer: Reilley; Publisher: none listed: LL
– Echoey and ghostly, with wistful yearning and ache.

DISClaimer: John Anderson, Blake Shelton, MacKenzie Porter Top New Tracks

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It’s “welcome home” to an old buddy this week.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member John Anderson has teamed up with Mr. Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, plus superstar Blake Shelton. The result is country-music nirvana. Give this man this week’s Disc of the Day award.

Anderson’s runners up represent two opposite wings of the country sound. Nathan Stanley clings to tradition with his effort, while Cam is pushing the pop side of things.

The DisCovery Award goes to MacKenzie Porter. She sounds like a comer, to me.

JEFF BATES/If I Get Drunk Tonight
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Skydancer
-Dark and dramatic. On this ballad, he wonders if he can obliterate her memory with whiskey. If only it weren’t taken quite so s-l-o-w-l-y.

KALIE SHORR/Escape
Writers: Candi Carpenter/Kalie Shorr; Producer: Shorr; Publisher: none listed; KS
– Strikingly mature. In the video, she sits alone on a road case, reminiscing. Intercut home-movie footage of her with her older sister lends a sadly nostalgic tone. The lyric is a touching ode to getting away from your roots, and the video adds the layer of a life cut short by drug abuse. Well written. Well sung. Well done.

JOHN ANDERSON & BLAKE SHELTON/Tuesday I’ll Be Gone
Writers: John Anderson/Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Producers: Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Publisher: none listed; Easy Eye Sound
-Anderson’s comeback was nearly scuttled by a health crisis. But he survived. This splendid thumper finds him in fine voice, as distinctive as ever. Shelton chimes in, but this is the legend’s show all the way. Shower this man with praise and glory.

INGRID ANDRESS/Life of the Party
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music
– The title is ironic, since her heart is fully broken. The verses meander a bit, but the choruses bring the song home with oomph. The power in the echoey production is a plus, too.

TYLER FARR/Only Truck In Town
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Deric Ruttan/Josh Thompson; Producers: Jason Aldean/Kurt Allison/Tully Kennedy; Publisher: none listed; Night Train
– Farr’s return is as the flagship artist on Jason Aldean’s new label, Night Train Records. The song is a slow-burn celebration of his hot girlfriend, because, “She makes me feel like I’m the only truck in town.” There’s a screaming rock-guitar solo in the middle of it.

CAM/Till There’s Nothing Left
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Jeff Bhasker/Hillary Lindsey; Producers: Tyler Johnson/Jeff Bhasker; RCA
– I dig her a lot, and there’s no denying the fabulously layered production and overall sonic splendor of this. Still, as gorgeous as it is, it definitely pushes on the outer boundaries of “country.” Is she in the right format?

WALKER MONTGOMERY/Like My Daddy Done It
Writer: Dallas Davidson; Producer: Davidson; Publisher: none listed; Play It Again
– He’s the son of John Michael Montgomery and the nephew of Eddie Montgomery. He’s good looking, and he sings well. Give him a shot.

DYLAN SCOTT/Nobody
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Very hooky and very romantic. This guy always displays great vocal chops, and this yearning effort is no exception. Deserving of beaucoup airplay.

MACKENZIE PORTER/Seeing Other People
Writers: jason Afable/Emily Falvey/Matt McGinn; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: none listed; Big Loud
– This winsome Canadian is touring with Chris Lane and Brad Paisley. She is already award-nominated in her homeland, and this commercial ditty should up her profile, stateside. It’s about the gut-wrenching experience of seeing your ex with somebody else. Her soft soprano is backed by an atmospheric, wafting track with plenty of “air.” In a word, promising.

NATHAN STANLEY/That’s How I Got To Memphis
Writers: Tom T. Hall; Producers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Orchard
– He’s the grandson of Ralph Stanley, but don’t expect a high, lonesome, Appalachian vocalist. Nathan is just as influenced by Nashville honky tonkers as he is bluegrass folks. That is very much in evidence on this outstanding cover of a Tom T. Hall classic. He sings it with enormous heart and soul, and the backing is replete with steel guitar and deep-bass twang. This is country music as it was meant to be sung.

DISClaimer: Lady Antebellum Tops New Releases With Thrilling Harmonies, Stunning Production

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This week, William Michael Morgan is joining Luke Combs in our campaign to rescue country music.

That said, there’s no denying the honest emotion, thrilling harmonies and stunning production behind the latest by Lady Antebellum. Give that trio a Disc of the Day award.

We have no actual newcomers to report this week, which leaves the field open for a new billing. That would be Hot Country Knights with a DisCovery Award, despite the presence of its established-star vocalists.

HOT COUNTRY KNIGHTS/Pick Her Up
Writers: Dierks Bentley/Jim Beavers/Brett Beavers; Producer: Dierks Bentley; Publisher: none listed; UMG
– This is Dierks’s band in its guise as a faux-’90s country combo. He shares lead vocals on this with real ‘90s star Travis Tritt and the result is smokin’ hot. Here’s the prescription: If you want to make the gal like ya, pick her up in a pick-up truck, take her to a honky-tonk, do some line-dancing and drink beer, not wine. Also, rock her world with a performance like this one.

AUBRIE SELLERS/Lucky Charm
Writers: Aubrie Sellers/Adam Wright; Producer: Aubrie Sellers/Frank Liddell; Publisher: none listed; Soundly Music
– It’s very echo-y and mysterioso in the instrumental department. As always, her vocal is a wafting wonder, full of winsome charm, subtle fire and fey attitude. It’s a fascination fusion, and I dig it.

TROY CARTWRIGHT/Cake For Breakfast
Writers: Brett Tyler/Michael Hardy/Alysa Vanderheym; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– More pop country. ZZZZZZZ.

LADY ANTEBELLUM/What I’m Leaving For
Writers: Laura Veltz/Micah Premnath/Sam Ellis; Producer: none listed; Publishers: BMG Rights Management/Universal, no performance rights listed; Big Machine
– Utterly lovely. A lilting, heartbreaking, uplifting ode for every traveling musician who has to leave family behind in order to make a living. It’s extraordinarily well written, and the shared lead vocals by Hillary and Charles are stellar.

DUSTIN LYNCH/Momma’s House
Writers: Dylan Schneider/MichaelLotten/Rodney Clawson/Justin Wilson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR
– I wonder if the folks in his hometown of Tullahoma, after which his album is titled, know that he’d burn their whole city down if his mother’s house wasn’t there? At least that’s what the lyrics in this somewhat dull, plodding single say.

GABBY BARRETT/I Hope
Writers: Gabrielle Barrett/Jon Nite/Zachary Kale; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Sony/ATV, no performance rights listed; Warner
– The vocal is extremely processed. Everything sounds doubled tracked and sent through a mile-long echo chamber and an even longer electrical signal. The gist of the lyric is that she hopes her rival makes him happy and then makes him miserable. That would be justice. Fine, but I’m still passing on this.

BILLY RAY CYRUS/I Am I Said
Writers: Neil Diamond; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BRC
– Nicely done. I love the way he’s dipping into his lowest register on the verses and how he’s shading the lyric with restraint and taste. He’s coming off a No. 1, Grammy-winning pop smash, so the country radio industry will welcome him back with open arms thanks to this fine performance, right?

TENILLE ARTS/Somebody Like That
Writers: Allison Cruz/Tenille Arts/Alex Kline; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Big Deal/Audiam/Anthem Entertainment, no performance rights listed; Reviver
– This dandy little country rocker expresses a wish for true love against a backdrop of sleazy bars, one-night stands and dashed hopes. It’s written with smarts, and she sings it with panache. I’m in.

KENNY CHESNEY/Here and Now
Writers: Craig Wiseman/David Garcia/David Lee Murphy; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– It’s over produced, but it’s nice to have him back.

WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Whiskey Kinda Night
Writers: William Michael Morgan/Doug Johnson/Adam Wood; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
– Country, country, country. Which is just how I like it. A heartache barroom ballad that hits every note perfectly. A total hillbilly home run.