DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Dan + Shay, Taylor Swift, Randy Travis, Reyna Roberts, And More

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Dan + Shay

We have no shortage of superstars this week in DisClaimer.

Everybody from Hall of Famers Alan Jackson and Randy Travis to redhot current giants Blake Shelton and Dan + Shay are here. Leading the pack is Taylor Swift, whose return-to country-track easily nabs the Disc of the Day prize.

I’m happy to report that there are plenty of baby acts in the mix today as well — Reyna Roberts, Joey Hendricks, Tyler Booth and our DisCovery Award winners, Bexar (that’s pronounced “Bear” or “Bay-har” to you non Texicans).

JOEY HENDRICKS/Yours Or Mine
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sony
– Airy and attractive, in a pop kinda way. There is too much “process” on the vocal for the lyric to be clear, but the young-and-in-lust message is plain.

BLAKE SHELTON/Happy Anywhere
Writers: Ross Copperman/Josh Osborne/Matt Jenkins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Bopping, sunny and bright, plus loaded with romantic optimism. If I’ve ever heard a quarantine/pandemic love song, this is it. Sweetie Gwen Stefani provides the harmony vocal.

REYNA ROBERTS/Stompin’ Grounds
Writers: Reyna Roberts/Noah Henson; Producer: Noah Henson; Publisher: none listed; CEN/Orchard
– This is a very dandy slab of Southern rock, replete with a wailing delivery, a slamming beat, searing electric-guitar work and a sassy, welcome-to-Alabama lyric. Vocal fireball Roberts represents the latest entry in a very, very long quest for a Black female country star. With this blazing debut single, she’s on her way.

TAYLOR SWIFT/Betty
Writers: Taylor Swift/William Bowery; Producers: Aaron Dessner/Jack Antonoff/Taylor Swift; Publishers: TASRM/Songs of Universal/William Bowery, BMI; MCA Nashville/Republic
– Kissed by wafting harmonica notes and strummy guitar, this is a lovely acoustic track. Lyrically, it’s quite striking, since she’s singing from the point of view of 17-year-old “James,” who cheated on “Betty” via a summer fling. Swift is a fountain of creativity in this return to her country roots.

BEXAR/Again
Writers: Ross Copperman/Chris Ryan/Logan Turner; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This is a band fronted by the duo of Texan Chris Ryan (guitar/lead vocal) and Kentuckian Logan Turner (banjo/guitar/vocals). Their sound is terrifically accomplished, acoustic yet thumping, polished yet earthy. The song yearns to recall the innocence of a teen romance. I cannot wait to hear more from these guys. In the meantime, please put this on your playlist at once.

RANDY TRAVIS/Fool’s Love Affair
Writers: Milton Brown/Keith Stegall/Charlie Monk; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Radio personality Charlie Monk has also been a longtime Music Row song publisher. He found a tape of Travis singing this song as a demo. Recorded just before the vocalist broke through as a superstar in 1985, the slow-burn, cheatin’ ballad is a clear reminder of what a stunning country baritone he was. Producer Lehning surrounded that voice with new tracks and the result is the first new Travis single since his stroke seven years ago. This, my friends, is what Real Country Music sounds like.

ROBERT COUNTS/What Do I Know
Writers: Robert Counts/Hardy/Jake Mitchell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Arista Nashville
– Blue-collar wisdom, redneck philosophy and dirt-road life lessons wrapped in a hillbilly-banger production. Very promising. Send more.

LAUREN ALAINA/Run
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Ben Johnson/Kennedi; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville
– This tempo tune is super hooky. If you’re not bopping and singing along to this catchy, repetitive, repetitive thing, you’re not listening. Also, she’s singing splendidly here.

CAYLEE HAMMACK & ALAN JACKSON/Lord I Hope This Day Is Good
Writer: Dave Hanner; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– These two Georgia natives sound supremely awesome together on this flawless remake of the 1981 Don Williams classic. I have always loved the song, and these two voices harmonizing on it make it even more heavenly.

TYLER BOOTH/In God and Trucks We Trust
Writers: Tyler Booth/Randy Montana/Phil O’Donnell; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sony/Villa 40
– Ya gotta love it. There might not be many of us who are farmers these days, but the down-home, semi-corny values espoused here can be embraced by just about anybody.

DAN + SHAY/I Should Probably Go To Bed
Writers: Shay Mooney/Dan Smyers/Jason Evigan/Sean Douglas; Producer: Dan Smyers; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Shay Mooney tingles the spine by singing at the top of his range throughout the ballad performance. Dan Smyers played all the instruments and produced the whole thing in his home studio. These two are dynamite, and this should blow up in no time.

DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Cam, Keith Urban, A Thousand Horses, And More

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Photo: Cam

Baby acts, established hit makers and living legends combine for a tasty musical stew in this week’s DisClaimer edition.

In the first category, you’ll find our DisCovery Award winner, Drew Green.

In the second category are fine new tracks by Cam and Keith Urban.

Both Willie Nelson and Dan Penn are here to remind us that great music doesn’t just belong to the young.

Don’t miss the track by Billy Valentine. He’s the most famous voice you’ve never heard of. Billy was the vocalist in Young-Holt Unlimited in the 1970s, then in his family’s Valentine Brothers during the 1980s (“Money’s Too Tight to Mention”). He toured in the musical The Wiz, then was the lead vocalist on the soundtracks of the movie The Five Heartbeats (1991) and the Muhammad Ali documentary Champions Forever (1989). He sings the theme songs of the TV shows Boston Legal and Sons of Anarchy. He’s written songs recorded by Ray Charles and The Neville Brothers and sung demos for Burt Bacharach and Gerry Goffin. Now he’s singing for our own Gary Nicholson.

He’s also a contender for Disc of the Day, alongside Cam, Kevin Costner and our winner, A Thousand Horses.

A THOUSAND HORSES/A Song to Remember
Writers: Michael Hobby/Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Christopher Stevens; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Hooky and very cool. The churning rhythm track locks you into the groove like a jailer. The tight-harmony vocals are loaded with heart. “I need a song to remember/And a drink to forget” in order get over her. Sing on, bros.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Faithful
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Marla Cannon-Goodman; Producer: Tucker Beathard; Publisher: none listed; Warner
-There’s a lot of production going on here. The electronic washes and beats somewhat overpower the lyric about fidelity, as well as his expressive vocal performance. Also, it ain’t all that “country.”

WILLIE NELSON/We Are The Cowboys
Writer: Billy Joe Shaver; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: BJ Shaver, BMI; Legacy (track)
– Willie’s 70th solo album is out. Titled First Rose of Spring, it includes this languid waltz with something to say. “We are the cowboys, the true sons of freedom….Cowboys are average American people, Texicans, Mexicans, Black men and Jews” who will cure this world of its wrongs. Other highlights on the collection include his versions of Roy Clark’s “Yesterday When I Was Young,” Johnny Paycheck’s “I’m the Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised” and Toby Keith’s “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” The 10-time Grammy winner, 87, remains an awesome musical presence.

BILLY VALENTINE/Thank You George Floyd
Writer: Gary Nicholson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; GN
-This is a super slab of Americana country-soul, with a slammin’  R&B groove and a passionate vocal by veteran Billy Valentine. Penned by stellar Nashville tunesmith Gary Nicholson, it thanks the late murder victim for making a difference in our society. It also name-checks several of the other victims of racial violence. The Black Live Matter movement couldn’t ask for a more stirring anthem and rallying cry.

KEITH URBAN/Superman
Writers: Craig Wiseman/Ben Berger/Ryan Rabin/Ryan McMahon/Keith Urban; Producer: Captain Cuts & Keith Urban; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
-It’s the familiar Urban summertime groove, spruced up with some dance beats and poppy electronics. Catchy, as usual.

HUDSON VALLEY/Right Place Now
Writers: Sarah Owens/Sherrie Austin/Will Rambeaux; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; HV
-This female-fronted band is in a celebratory mood on this crashing rocker. Lead singer Sarah Owens shows plenty of confidence and moxie while the rhythm section and electric guitarist kick up dust. You can catch the act live around Music City at such venues as Ol Red, The Sutler Saloon, the Omni Hotel, The Listening Room and 3rd & Lindsley.

CAM/Classic
Writers: Camaron Ochs/Jack Antonoff; Producer: Jack Antonoff; Publisher: none listed; Triple Tigers/RCA Records
-Indescribably zesty. This fizzes like just-opened champagne. Her bright vocal is matched by a bubbling, shuffling beat that is just deliriously fun. I remain a huge fan. Like the song says, “they don’t make ’em like this anymore.”

DREW GREEN/Little More Be Alright
Writers: Drew Green/Mark Trussell; Producer: Mark Trussell; Publisher: none listed; Villa 40/Sony
-It’s a terrific fusion of a just-folks vocal, a supremely country lyric and an echoey pop production. I dig this guy, and I absolutely love the song. Stupendous work all around.

KEVIN COSTNER & MODERN WEST/Won’t Stop Loving You
Writers: Kevin Costner/Jack Williams/Scott Lindsey/Troy Johnson; Publisher: Orchard/Kevin’s Music/Anthem Entertainment, no performance right listed; Producer: none listed; KM
-Heartbreaking and romantic. Her memory will not leave, ever. Costner sings with warmth, and the gentle acoustic backing makes the ballad glow.

DAN PENN/Living on Mercy
Writers: Dan Penn/Wayne Carson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Last Music Company (track)
-This is the title tune of the songwriting legend’s forthcoming CD, which arrives Aug. 28. The part-time Nashvillian enlisted the best sidemen of Muscle Shoals and Music City to craft a record that seethes with slow-burn, blue-eyed soul. This 78-year-old’s first album in 26 years demonstrates breathtaking endurance, perseverance and timelessness.

DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Tyler Childers, And More

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This was a week of left-field surprises.

In our “comeback” department, we have a strong return to form by Mary Chapin Carpenter as well as a stunning reappearance by Skip Ewing. Tim McGraw is back, too.

Kane Brown continues his pursuit of pop music, while the formerly country-as-grits Elizabeth Cook takes a wild detour into that realm.

While Miranda Lambert‘s “Bluebird” continues its march up into the top-10, she offers a further reminder of her greatness with “Dark Bars.”

Previously noted for writing songs for others, Ross Ellis claims this week’s DisCovery Award.
Most surprising of all is the Disc of the Day prize going to outsider country-music savior Tyler Childers. Long may he sing.

TYLER RICH/Feels Like Home
Writers: Tyler Rich/Andrew DeRoberts/Jon Nite; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Publisher: none listed; Valory
– Quite stirring and attractive. It’s like “Cheers” set to music with warmth, camaraderie and raise-a-glass good vibes. I’m in.

SAM HUNT/Hard To Forget
Writers: Josh Osborne/Shane McAnally/Ashley Gorley/Audrey Grisham/Luke Laird/Mary Jean Shurtz/Russ Hull/Sam Hunt; Producers: Luke Laird/Zach Crowell; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
– Surprise! He sings it.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER/Secret Keepers
Writer: Mary Chapin Carpenter; Producer: Ethan Johns; Publisher: none listed; Lambent Light Records/Thirty Tigers
– Resonant and glowing, with her dark alto leading a lyric about the hidden emotional undertows that can haunt our interpersonal relationships. The rolling, country-rock tempo gives it a radio-ready sound. I have always loved this artist.

KANE BROWN ft. SWAE LEE & KHALID/Be Like That
Writers: Alexander “Eskeerdo” Izquierdo/Kane Brown/Khalid Robinson/Khalif Brown/Mike Will/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Charlie Handsome; Publisher: none listed; RCA Nashville
– It’s totally pop, but you have to admire its earworm catchiness. Seldom has a negative-girlfriend sentiment sounded so jaunty.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Dark Bars
Writers: Liz Rose/Miranda Lambert; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Songs of Crazy Girl/Warner Tamerlane, BMI; Vanner Records/RCA Nashville
– If there was ever a doubt in your mind that she’s a country-music genius, this will erase it. A swirling meditation about embracing loneliness and facing honky-tonk truth. In a word, awesome.

ELIZABETH COOK/Perfect Girls of Pop
Writer: Elizabeth Cook; Producer: Butch Walker; Publisher: none listed; Agent Love Records/Thirty Tigers
– Disappointing. It’s a good song, but the double-tracked, overly-echoed vocal is distracting. I think the idea here is to take a shot at pop airplay, since it does have a retro ’80s, new-wave vibe. There is also a video for a track called “Bones” that is an even more overt bid for pop/rock acceptance

TIM McGRAW/Here On Earth
Writers: Chase McGill/Jessie Jo Dillon/Jon Nite; Producers: Tim McGraw/Byron Gallimore; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine Records
– Uplifting and inspirational. Music like this can bring people together. Love is the answer.

MANDY BARNETT/It’s Now or Never
Writers: Aaron Schroeder/Eduardo di Capua/Wally Gold; Producer: Fred Mollin; Publisher: Gladys/Kobalt/Aberbach/Raleigh/Universal, ASCAP/SIAE; Melody Place/BMG
– Mandy replaces Elvis’s florid, quasi-operatic reading of the 1960 song with something more sweet and intimate, while sacrificing none of her vocal power. A winner.

ROSS ELLIS/Love Blind
Writers: Allison Veltz Cruz/Ross Ellis/Zach Kale; Producer: Aaron Eshuis; Publisher: none listed; RCA Nashville
– It’s a heartfelt ballad wherein he prays that she will overlook his shortcomings and keep loving him. Quietly endearing.

TYLER CHILDERS/Country Squire
Writer: Tyler Childers; Producers: Sturgill Simpson/David Ferguson; Publisher: none listed; Hickman Holler Records/RCA Records
– The subject of the title is a 24-foot camper. He’s fixing it up to make a home for himself and his honey while a hillbilly band prances friskly behind him. As always, he’s a beacon of Real Country Music. The uptempo ditty has inspired Tyler’s first music video. It’s a cute-as-can-be, highly humorous animation.

SKIP EWING/Wyoming
Writer: Skip Ewing; Producers: Kyle Lehning/Skip Ewing; Publisher: Write On!, BMI; Write!
– This prodigiously gifted fellow had a flurry of big hits on MCA in the late 1980s. In the following decade he wrote huge songs for Collin Ray (“Love, Me”), Randy Travis (“If I Didn’t Have You”), Kenny Chesney (“You Had Me From Hello”), Diamond Rio (“I Believe”), Bryan White (“Someone Else’s Star”), Clint Black (“Something That We Do”) and more. In 2013, he turned his back on it all, sold his belongings and vanished from music. This is the title tune of his comeback CD, a lovely, tuneful, wistful recollection of wanderlust and lost love. The man can still cast a musical spell. Welcome home, son.

DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Luke Bryan, Lindsay Ell, Avenue Beat, And More

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Luke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright

We have gender parity this week, which in country music is a shameful rarity.

Both our male and female entries are worthy contributors. For country vocal supremacy, I present Travis Denning. For production creativity, let me suggest Ingrid Andress, Niko Moon and Avenue Beat. The singles by Denning, Avenue Beat and RaeLynn have the songwriting chops.

So does our Disc of the Day winner, Lindsay Ell. Truth is the greatest lyric of all.

Jason Morey is staging his debut in this column as the new duet partner of Sherry Lynn. Give the man a DisCovery Award.

RAELYNN/Me About Me
Writers: RaeLynn/Bob DiPiero/Jeff Garrison; Producer: Corey Crowder; Publisher: none listed; Round Here Records
-Decidedly an A-plus for songwriting finesse. The lyric describes a relationship that doesn’t work because she listens and learns all about him, but he knows next to nothing about her inner self. The clear production and concise vocal delivery are bonus points. Play it, for sure.

NIKO MOON/It’s A Great Day To Be Alive
Writer: Darrell Scott; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA Nashville
-The 2001 Travis Tritt hit gets an r&b-flavored makeover. Moon retains the twang, but adds hip-hop beats as well as a banjo. Very creative. The track is an Amazon Original exclusive.

AVENUE BEAT/F2020
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
-There’s nothing even remotely “country” about it, and the cussing will doubtless restrict any airplay. But you’ve gotta hand it to the lyric: This year does suck, in just about every possible way. And by making the message sound so downright jaunty, ya gotta love these folks.

TRAVIS DENNING/Where That Beer’s Been
Writers: Travis Denning/Rhett Akins/Chris Stevens/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Warner Chappell/Sony ATV; Mercury
-He’s coming off a No. 1 hit (“After A Few”), and this stuttering, hooky rocker is even better. Get this: “I don’t know where that beer’s been/But I know where it’s going.” Or this: “It could’a been brewed in Colorado, Milwaukee or St. Louey/The only thing on my mind right now is what it’s gonna do to me.” The nifty, novelty guitar licks are superb, and the boy is a bona fide, country-as-grits sanger.

SHERRY LYNN & JASON MOREY/The Ride of Your Life
Writers: none listed; Producer: Christos Gatzimos; Steal Heart
– It rocks nicely, and they both sing splendidly here. But the overall sound is a little “thin.” More oomph, please. Producer Gatzimos is the son of Crystal Gayle.

LINDSAY ELL/Make You
Writers: Lindsay Ell/Brandy Clark; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
-Stunning. Beautiful. Courageous. This powerfully sung ballad is about surviving the shame, overcoming the damage and rising above being a teenage rape victim. “That canyon in your chest is the little girl you lost.” and “There’s peace in saying something out loud.” And “It’s amazing where a broken heart can take you/That’s what’s gonna make you.” By sharing her truth, she has created a country-music masterpiece.

NOAH SCHNACKY/Feels Like Love
Writers: Matt Rogers/Schnacky/Ross Copperman; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
-Disliked the quasi-spoken hip-hop verses. Loved the soaring choruses. Very upbeat, positive and summer-y sounding.

BILLY CURRINGTON/Seaside
Writers: Billy Currington/Jordan Schmidt/Steven Lee Olsen; Producer: Jordan Schmidt; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
– A melody would have been nice.

INGRID ANDRESS/Waste Of Lime
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Derrick Southerland/Sam Ellis/Shane McAnally; Producer: Andress/Sam Ellis; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic/Warner Nashville
-“The Stranger” remains the current single. But this kiss-off bopper has summertime verve, courtesy of some “Kokomo” style licks.

LUKE BRYAN/Build Me A Daddy
Writers: Brett Tyler Mikkelson/Jake Mitchell/Josh Thompson; Producer: Jeff Stevens/Jody Stevens; Publisher: Warner Chappell/Kobalt; Capitol Records Nashville
-Sung from a child’s point of view, this is for the millions of folks who grow up fatherless.

DISClaimer: Kenny Chesney, Trisha Yearwood, Lauren Alaina, The Chicks, And More

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This DISClaimer has it all.

From Music Row’s revered songwriting community come Brett James and Waylon Payne with power-packed performances.

Our top stars are here, too: Kenny Chesney, Chris Young, The Chicks and Tanya Tucker, to sample just a few.

We have Black country artists Willie Jones and IMAJ. We have Hispanic contributors The Texicana Mamas. Women are well represented this week, contributing six of our entries, including Disc of the Day awardees Lauren Alaina & Trisha Yearwood.

Check out the YouTube video by Willie Jones and you’ll see why he’s this week’s DisCovery Award winner.

STONEY LARUE & TANYA TUCKER/Meet in the Middle
Writers: Gary Nicholson/Stoney LaRue; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Smith Music
-It’s a simply produced two-step with a bluesy tune and a crisp tempo. There’s a Texas thang going on here.

KENNY CHESNEY/Happy Does
Writers: Brad Clawson/Greylan Egan James/Jamie Paulin/Robert Brock Berryhill; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Warner Chappell/Universal; Warner Music Nashville/Blue Chair Records
-Like a summertime daydream in a swaying hammock. This is so gently relaxing and breezy that you cannot help feeling good. Classic Chesney.

IMAJ/8min 46sec (I Can’t Breathe)
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Thomas Triomph
-She’s the daughter of ’80s TV icon Philip Michael Thomas (Miami Vice). The track consists of her playing acoustic guitar and repeating the words “I can’t breathe” (occasionally augmented by “Don’t kill me” and “Mama”) for eight minutes and 46 seconds. It’s more like a piece of post-modern performance art than it is a country single. She also has a more conventionally structured country-political song called “Colorblind.”

CHRISSY METZ/Actress
Writers: Chrissy Metz/Nicolette Hayford/Matt McGuinn/Nathan Spicer; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; EMI
-Cool song. She pretends to be casual when her heart is breaking inside. The ballad begins with a stately simplicity and builds to pounding anthemic power. The single is still “Talking to God,” but this reveals that she has a lot more up her sleeve.

WAYLON PAYNE/Sins of the Father
Writers: Waylon Payne; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Carnival
-I’m a big fan of this man’s songwriting. His craftsmanship and vocal charisma are so strong that this needs nothing more than his acoustic guitar accompaniment to make it as compelling, dynamic and listenable as a fully-produced studio recording. It also weaves a helluva yarn about addiction and recovery. I absolutely cannot wait for his album.

BRETT JAMES/Tell The People
Writers: Brett James; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BJ
-Speaking of contributions from our songwriting community. Brett James has a new album ready to go, and this soulful advance track leaves you hungry for more. Over a gospel-ish track, he urges us give each other love before it’s too late. Blue-eyed soul distilled to purity.

LAUREN ALAINA & TRISHA YEARWOOD/Getting Good
Writers: Emily Weisband; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Warner Chappell; Mercury
-Awesome. Two great voices. One great song. I hung on every line and bopped with every beat.

THE TEXICANA MAMAS/Cocina de Amor (Kitchen of Love)
Writers: Tish Hinojosa/Stephanie Urbina Jones/Patricia Vonne; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
-Latina country divas Tish Hinojosa, Stephanie Urbina Jones and Patricia Vonne have joined their voices in this new trio. All three are accomplished singer-songwriters. It shows on this enchanting, feel-good, sing-along, happy and ridiculously catchy bi-lingual single. Hey, anything that rhymes “tequila,” “sangria” and “familia” is fine with me.

THE CHICKS/March March
Writers: Ross Golan/Natalie Maines/Martie Maguire/Jack Antonoff/Ian Kirkpatrick/Emily Strayer/Dan Wilson; Producer: Jack Antonoff/  The Chicks; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
-They continue to speak up and speak out. More power to them. I’m glad that they didn’t “shut up and sing.” This pop-leaning outing has very cool multi rhythms going on, as well as fiddle and banjo licks. Listenable in the extreme, with a message to boot. Definitely a song for our times. I’m a fan for life.

WILLIE JONES/Back Porch
Writers: none listed; Producer: Publisher: Audiam/Anthem Entertainment; 4 Sound/Empire
-He’s a handsome charmer with a ditty that should have Kenny Chesney looking over his shoulder. This is a summer, good-time sound if I’ve ever heard one. Play it.

CHRIS YOUNG/If That Ain’t God
Writers: Chris Young/Matt Roy/Mitchell Oglesby/Graylan James; Producer: Chris Young/Chris DeStefano; RCA
-He’s such a superstar. As usual, he sings his country fanny off. The pithy lyric will warm your spirit. Uplifting and hearty. A smash.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Eric Church, Josh Turner, Pryor & Lee, And More

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Eric Church

Country music reasserts its potency in this week’s column.

Some of its finest exponents are here—Josh Turner & Chris Janson, Craig Morgan, Buddy Jewell, C.J. Solar and Rascal Flatts all have outstanding new sounds. Towering above them all is Eric Church. In fact, any time The Chief releases a new single, the rest of the field might as well pack it in. He wins his one billionth Disc of the Day award.

Two newcomer duos are vying for the DisCovery Award. Black River’s Pryor & Lee edge out the youthful Render Sisters to take the honor.

RYAN GRIFFIN/One Prayer Left
Writers: Camero Bedell/Jason Massey/Ryan Griffin/Thomas Finchum; Producer: Jason Massey; Publisher: none listed; Altadena/Warner
– It’s a sweet sentiment, and it’s plaintively well sung. Nothing about the faux r&b track sounds country.

RASCAL FLATTS/How They Remember You
Writers: Josh Osborne/Allen Shamblin/Marc Beeson; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– I like the drumming pattern that shuffles the tune’s tempo. The reflective lyric is way cool, and the harmony vocals are arguably the finest they’ve ever recorded. Well worth your attention.

DANIELLE BRADBERY/Never Have I Ever
Writers: Danielle Bradbery/Laura Veltz/David Hodges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
– This former winner on The Voice displays her impressive range on this ballad. She begins in a warm, enveloping alto, but by the finale she is up in the soprano stratosphere. If only the song were stronger, this single would be undeniable.

ERIC CHURCH/Stick That In Your Country Song
Writers: Davis Naish/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Hillbilly Science & Research/Do Write/Jeffrey Steele, BMI; EMI
– Eric brings country music back to what it does best, describing the reality of its listeners. It’s gritty, snarling and a little uncomfortable. But, man, is it ever powerful. The Chief tells it like it is. (I particularly liked the verse about our heroic school teachers.)

C.J. SOLAR/Watered Down Whiskey
Writers: Charlie Berry/C.J. Solar/Jeff Middleton; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sea Gayle
– The production sounds bigger and beefier this time around, and he’s singing with renewed vigor. As we’ve come to expect from him, it’s also quite well written.

JOSH TURNER & CHRIS JANSON/Country State of Mind
Writers: Hank Williams, Jr./Roger Wade; Producer: Kenny Greenberg; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
– The title tune of Josh’s upcoming CD is a very cool reworking of Hank Jr.’s 1986 hit. Sung as a duet with Chris Janson, he revives the song’s steamy, bluesy, summer vibe. The whole project is a salute to country influences with Josh singing favorites as collaborations with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, John Anderson and Randy Travis. He also shares the golden tunes with such contemporaries as Allison Moorer, Runaway June and Maddie & Tae, as well as Janson. Above it all, Josh Turner reasserts himself as one of our finest current country singers.

PRYOR & LEE/Y’allsome
Writers: Rhett Akins/Marv Green/JT Harding; Producer: Doug Johnson/Chip Matthews; Publisher: none listed; Black River
– This frothing rocker drops tomorrow, so get ready. It’s a shout-out to country’s party-hearty fans who know how to get down. Pryor Baird and Kaleb Lee were both solo finalists on The Voice. Together, they sure can kick up some dust. This one’s a slam-bang jam.

THE RENDER SISTERS/Lost Boy
Writers: Mary-Keaton Render/Stella Render/Britton Cameron; Producer: Britton Cameron; Publisher: none listed; Render Sisters/Distro Kid
– These Arkansas siblings are still in their teens. Mary-Keaton Render is 16 and Stella Render is 14. Their talent is way beyond their years. The extremely well crafted lyric sounds exactly like the emotions of high school, and their Everly-Sisters vocal harmony blend is awesome. The duo’s striking abilities have attracted the attention of Pam Tillis, who co-directed the song’s video. Can’t wait to hear more.

CRAIG MORGAN/The Mask
Writers: Craig Morgan/Mike Rogers; Producer: Craig Morgan; Publisher: none listed; Broken Bow
– Morgan’s new song is a salute to our front-line first responders, doctors, nurses and other heroes who face this pandemic with such courage and heart. In the lyric, the “mask” is more than a physical object, it’s the brave, smiling face that they put on to hide the fear and heartbreak. It goes without saying that this mighty man sings the fire out of the song.

BUDDY JEWELL/I’m A Ramblin’ Man
Writer: Ray Pennington; Producer: Mitchell Brown; Publisher: none listed; Diamond Dust
– Buddy’s rootsy new CD is Bluebonnet Highway. It is a nice audio salad, combining his earlier hits with nods to oldies like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had” and “Georgia on a Fast Train,” plus nifty new tunes like “Willie Gave Up Weed,” “Hillbilly Water” and “Teardrop in the Gulf of Mexico.” The set kicks off with this lively remake of Waylon’s chart-topping 1974 hit featuring a smoothly upped tempo and a focus on hot bluegrassy picking as well as this fellow’s always robust singing.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Lucinda Williams, John Prine

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John Prine

The abiding importance of song craftsmanship is on full display in this week’s Americana disc survey.

Darrell Scott, Marshall Chapman and Steve Forbert are here to remind us of what excellence has come before, via their new collections of cover tunes. Jason Isbell, Allison Moorer, Steve Earle and more are here to represent what troubadour excellence remains with us today.

The Disc of the Day prize goes to Lucinda Williams. One of Americana’s “founding mothers” is still creating at the top of her game.

I have previously reviewed The Marcus King Band in this column. By virtue of the fact that its leader is releasing his first solo CD, Marcus King becomes our DisCovery Award winner.

How lucky are we that ALL of these diverse talents live and/or work among us here in Music City?

LUCINDA WILLIAMS/Big Black Train
Writers: Lucinda Williams/Tom Overby; Producer Ray Kennedy & Tom Overby; Publisher: none listed; Highway 20/Thirty Tigers
– Lucinda goes dark and spooky in this stunningly beautiful meditation about a descent into mental depression. She was the first artist in Americana music to earn a Gold record. That was with 1998’s Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and the three-time Grammy Award honoree has re-teamed with producer Ray Kennedy for Good Souls Better Angels, from whence this terrific, echoey track comes.

MARSHALL CHAPMAN/Tower of Song
Writers: Leonard Cohen; Producer: Neilson Hubbard; Publisher: none listed; TallGirl
– This Nashville treasure begins her new CD with this masterpiece Leonard Cohen lyric. Her distinctive, conversational, spoke-sung delivery drawls while Will Kimbrough’s guitar twangs expressively. The starkly-produced, evocative album is called Songs I Can’s Live Without because it is a collection of covers from the likes of J.J. Cale, Cash, Carole King, Bob Seger and Elvis. Maah-shul makes them all her own. Even “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES/John Henry Was A Steel Drivin’ Man
Writers: Steve Earle; Producers: Steve Earle; Publisher: none listed; New West
– One of the greatest folk singers in Nashville history returns with a classic sounding saga of the iconic John Henry. As always, he delivers it with effortless charisma. The song is drawn from Earle’s new collection Ghosts of West Virginia, which (prior to the pandemic) he performed as the “soundtrack” of Coal Country, a theater piece about a fatal 2010 mining explosion resulting from corporate corruption.

STEVE FORBERT /Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues
Writers: Danny O’Keefe; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Blue Rose
– Forbert’s new album of covers is titled Early Morning Rain. The collection’s launching track is his whispery, lonesome, haunting version of Danny O’Keefe’s 1972 folk-pop hit. His talent endures. More power to him.

JASON ISBELL & THE 400 UNIT/What’ve I Done To Help
Writers: Jason Isbell/Michael Kiwanuka; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Southeastern
– Strings shimmer, percussion brushes nervously and guitars cry in the background as Isbell’s tenor aches and soars in a song that questions his life’s purpose amid a world in crisis. The new album is titled Reunions, and it goes without saying that it is essential.

LORI McKENNA/When You’re My Age
Writers: Lori McKenna/Hillary Lindsey/Liz Rose; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; CN/Thirty Tigers
-I adore this woman. This ballad is sung from the point of view of a mother gazing backward and forward on behalf of her growing-up child. Backed by stark, sympathetic piano, percussion and cello, her direct, honest, plain-spoken, warm singing voice has striking resonance here. The song is an advance track for an album titled The Balladeer, due on July 24.

DARRELL SCOTT/My Sweet Love Ain’t Around
Writers: Hank Williams; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Full Light
– Darrell Scott Sings the Blues of Hank Williams is an album whose title perfectly describes its contents: It is not a greatest-hits repertoire, but emphasizes the Hank songs that reflect the legend’s blues influences. This swampy, deep-South, earthy, dramatic performance kicks things off with rocking, stomping force. Don’t miss Darrell’s dad Wayne Scott’s emotional rendition of “When God Comes and Gathers His Jewels” or Darrell’s delightfully yodel-embellished “When You’re Tired of Breaking Other Hearts” later in the set. His guitar, slide and piano work throughout the collection are awesome.

ALLISON MOORER/Nightlight
Writers: Allison Moorer; Producer: Kenny Greenberg; Publisher: none listed; Autotelic/Thirty Tigers
– Moorer’s current CD and memoir are both titled Blood. This tender, exquisite ballad is at its emotional center as an ode to love, sisterhood and courage. “You’re the first light, last light/You’re my daylight, my moonlight….my nightlight.” In sum, heart-touchingly lovely. The book is harrowing and real. The album stands on its own as a masterwork.

MARCUS KING/One Day She’s Here
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publisher: none listed; Fantasy
– This guitar-slinging wunderkind is a talent who can veer from Southern-rock intensity to smoldering soul with amazing panache. The phenom is a funk/R&B falsetto dude in this flawless, admirably slick, groove-soaked outing about the mystery lady who got away. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear it was recorded by Gamble & Huff in Philly in the mid-70s, instead of here and now in Music City. It comes from King’s breakout debut solo CD, El Dorado.

JOHN PRINE/I Remember Everything
Writers: John Prine/Pat McLaughlin; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Oh Boy Records
– This is said to be the late Prine’s last recorded song. If so, it’s a helluva way to bow out, a fond, wistful, heartfelt farewell to a lover. We all felt like he was our dear friend, and he was, to the last note.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Combs, Cole Swindell, Trace Adkins, And More

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Luke Combs. Photo: David Bergman

The opposing forces of pop and country are lined up in this week’s playlist.

On one side are Adam Hambrick and Cole Swindell, polishing their pop sides. On the other side are Trace Adkins and Canaan Smith, proudly parading their country bona fides.

The Disc of the Day contest boils down to Trace, Brantley Gilbert and the winner, Luke Combs.

Shy Carter has penned hits for the likes of Rob Thomas, Sugarland, Charlie Puth, Tim & Faith, Kane Brown and more. He sounds an awful lot like a bright, shiny, new pop star on his “Good Love.” He also wins this week’s DisCovery Award.

ADAM HAMBRICK/Between Me and the End of the World
Writer: Adam Hambrick; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts; Publisher: Capitol/Buena Vista
– His wife is a physician’s assistant working on the front lines of the pandemic. This heart-tugging pop ballad is an ode to her courage.

BRANTLEY GILBERT/Hard Days
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Jay Brunswick/Logan Wall; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– I have always said this guy has one of the most underrated singing voices in country music. He is super expressive on this power ballad of survival and perseverance. The gist of it is that experiencing bad times can strengthen your character. Highly relatable.

CANAAN SMITH/Colder Than You
Writers: Canaan Smith/Corey Crowder/Jared Mullins; Producers: Canaan Smith/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley; Publisher: Georgia Song Vibez Administered by Warner Chappell; Georgia Song Vibez/ Big Crowd Publishing Administered by Warner Chappell; Tree Vibez Music/ Mullins It Over Music Administered by Warner Chappell; Round Here Records
– Solidly country, with a wry wink in the lyric and some deep twang in the production. Round Here Records is FGL’s label.

LUKE COMBS/Lovin’ On You
Writers: James McNair/Luke Combs/Ray Fulcher/Thomas Archer; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Warner Chappell/Words & Music/Big Deal, no performance rights listed; River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
– Thank goodness. At least one star is still rocking out. This upbeat rump shaker hollers “Good times!” loudly, and it’s a welcome sound. Bellow on, bro.

SHY CARTER/Good Love
Writers: Shy Carter, James Slater, Carlo Colasacco, & Micah Carter; Producer: David Garcia; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– He’s achieved massive success as a Nashville songwriter. This sounds like a strong bid for recognition as a pop prince. Yummy ear candy.

COLE SWINDELL/Single Saturday Night
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Mark Holman/Michael Hardy; Producer: Michael Carter; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– Disposable, tuneless pop-country. The florid production works overtime to dress it up into something presentable.

ERIN ENDERLIN/Fishin’ in the Dark (to be released June 19)
Writers: Jim Photoglo and Wendy Waldman; Producers: Alex Kline & Erin Enderlin; Publisher: none listed; Blaster
– Enderlin slows down the 1987 Dirt Band oldie, transforming it into a sultry, smiling, swooning, simmering outing with an emphasis on the dreamy lyric. The languid groove is irresistible.

ERIC PASLAY/On This Side of Heaven
Writers: Eric Paslay/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Eric Paslay/F. Reid Shippen; Publisher: none listed
– Absolutely lovely and immensely heart tugging. Loss and devastation have seldom sounded more beautiful. This guy is so gifted.

TRACE ADKINS/Mind on Fishin’
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Wynn Varble; Producer: Bart Butler; Publisher: none listed; Verge
– Beyond cute. The swampy groove and Trace’s always-cool singing voice are reasons enough to tune in. Here’s a reason that’s just as good: The song has wonderful hillbilly lyric: I’d rather be on the lake with my mind on God/Than in church with my mind on fishin’. Can I get an “Amen?”

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton

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When times are hard, you can always count on Nashville’s music makers to get you through them.

Dolly Parton, Steven Curtis Chapman and Chase Rice are addressing the ongoing pandemic this week. No matter how much they try to “open” the economy, be aware that the number of diagnosed cases continues to rise.

Meanwhile, Kane Brown and Mickey Guyton are two of several artists who are addressing the Black Lives Matter issue that is in the forefront of our national discussion this week. No matter how you slice it, injustice is intolerable.

Lonestar and Vince Gill have taken on the issue of grief in our military families. The media doesn’t dwell on it, but we are still losing lives among our armed forces overseas.

In recognition of his worthy effort, Kane Brown earns the Disc of the Day award.

I am happy to report that we have a very promising new artist-writer in our midst today. She’s Brit Taylor, our DisCovery Award winner.

SEAFORTH/Everything Falls for You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Very pretty. It’s a plaintive, pop-ish ballad with a lovelorn lyric and a boy-band vocal delivery. This Aussie duo seems to specialize in this kind of thing.

DOLLY PARTON/When Life Is Good Again
Writers: Dolly Parton/Kent Wells; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Dolly
– Dolly’s song for the pandemic leans on her spirituality and indomitably optimistic outlook. A gospel choir adds emotional weight. It’s a lump-in-throat performance from a legendary lady who always seems to shine the light of love.

BRIT TAYLOR/Wakin’ Up Ain’t Easy
Writers: Brit Taylor/Dave Brainard; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publisher: none listed; BT
– She has a liquid alto singing voice, with bright, “teardrop” accents. The heartache ballad has a languid, echoey atmosphere that is enchanting. I’m smitten. Send more.

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, BRAD PAISLEY, LAUREN ALAINA, TASHA COBBS LEONARD/Together (We’ll Get Through This)
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; SCC
-Gospel great Chapman expresses strength, solidarity, perseverance and optimism in his all-star coronavirus song. Proceeds benefit the thousands of unemployed musicians that this disease has created. Chin up, folks, this too shall pass away.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Can’t Stay Here
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Will Lamb/Joe Whelan; Producer: Tucker Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Jordan Rager; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– It’s a painful breakup, but he’s owning it by kicking her out because of all the anguish she has caused. The rolling tempo is cool and his vocal manages to combine power and vulnerability really well. I’ve been in this guy’s corner all along, and he never disappoints.

CHASE RICE/Belong
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR
– “We don’t know where we’re going/But we’re going there together.” It’s a Big Statement Anthem with homemade pandemic footage in its video. Hooky and uplifting.

CAM/Redwood Tree
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Anders Mouridsen; Producer: Tyler Johnson; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Thumpy and catchy. The rhythm track is a toe-tapping joy, and as usual her vocal performance is a pristine paradise. The lyric about aging and time is terrific, too. A superb single.

LONESTAR, VINCE GILL & FRIENDS/Love Lives On
Writers: Bonnie Carroll/Richie McDonald/Frank J. Myers/Jimmy Nichols; Producer: Frank Myers/Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: none listed; Roots & American Music Society (track)
– Co-writer Carroll is the widow of a fallen soldier, and this stirring song is therapy for survivors everywhere. In addition to the signature voices of Richie and Vince, the background singers include a bluezillion Nashville names. Among them are Lee Roy Parnell, Deborah Allen, Rob Crosby, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Ashley Cleveland and Wood Newton.

KANE BROWN/Worldwide Beautiful
Writers: Kane Brown/Shy Carter/Ryan Hurd/Jordan Schmidt; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Kane Brown/BMG Platinum/Worldwide EMG/You Want How Much of What/hurdjamz/Sony-ATV Accent, BMI; RCA
– It has a lot of audio textures, from hip-hop to chorale. The anti-racist message is a simple one, we are all One. Well spoken, son. We need this song right now.

MICKEY GUYTON/Black Like Me
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Nathan Chapman/Emma Davidson-Dillon/Fraser Churchill; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Forest Whitehead; Publisher: none listed; Universal
– This heartbreaking piano ballad is a powerfully sung anthem about racial inequality. “If you think we live in the Land of the Free/You should try to be black like me.” Mickey issued this at midnight on BlackOutTuesday (June 2). She concludes the impactful lyric with a stanza of black pride. My hat is off to her. Imagine being terrified of taking a walk outside because you might get shot, simply because of the color of your skin. Then accept the fact that this happens in our country, over and over and over again.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Morgan Wallen, Lee Brice, Trace Adkins, And More

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Some days, your favorite music comes from the most unexpected places.

This week, we have great new tunes from such proven winners as Trace Adkins, Jamie O’Neal, Easton Corbin and Lee Brice. Not to mention a terrific track by the redhot Morgan Wallen.

But over there in the corner, slyly working his audio magic is newcomer Troy Cartwright with a super hooky Disc of the Day.

Jameson Rodgers has previously been in this column as a collaborator with Luke Combs. Now he has a chance to shine as a solo. In so doing, he wins a DisCovery Award.

MORGAN WALLEN/More Than My Hometown
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Michael Hardy/Morgan Wallen/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: Universal/Kobalt/Sony-ATV; BMI; Big Loud
– His vocal is kinda processed and compressed, but there’s no covering up his soulful warmth and personality. The track rolls along nicely, like a drive in the sticks in your dad’s comfy, air-conditioned sedan. The lyric is a country boy pledging his love to the gal who wants to leave him behind so she can see the bright lights.

JANA KRAMER/Untouchable
Writers: Emily Shackleton/Jana Kramer/Nicole Witt; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Warner Chappell; Sophie Dog
– She has always been underrated. The plaintive ache in her vocal on this yearning, mid-tempo outing is terrific. She’s asking for something more than a one night stand. The whole world is searching for True Love, so here’s a song that everyone can relate to.

TRACE ADKINS/Better Off
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Corey Crowder/Liz Rose; Producer: non listed; Publisher: none listed; Verge
– Her shoes, her clothes, the bed pillows, her lipstick and the lights are all “Better Off” because he’s got a sexy, one-on-one night in mind. Big Trace’s throaty, come-on voice is appropriately miked up close and personal. Cool tune.

JAMIE O’NEAL/The World Goes On
Writers: Shaye Smith/Jamie O’Neal/Ilya Toshinsky; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; JO
– The crunchy, punchy track is dynamite. As always, this total pro delivers the goods as a vocalist, offering conversational advice as well as wailing, soprano celebration. It’s about finding inner power when you’re feeling down, which is the kind of inspirational message we can all use right now. Turn it up.

EASTON CORBIN/Turn Up
Writers: Easton Corbin/Jessi Alexander/Wade Kirby; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Honkytonk Land
– He’s still country and I still like him. This is a hillbilly romper with charm and rhythm to spare. Lotsa fun.

HONEY COUNTY/Woke Up Tired
Writers: Danielle Rosner/Devon Eisenbarger/Kalie Shorr/Katie Stump; Producer: Maks Gabriel/Kenneth Belcher; Publisher: none listed; Sounds Like Nashville
– Creamy harmonies. Lilting melody. Wistful and attractive.

JAMESON RODGERS/Some Girls
Writers: C.J. Solar/Jake Mitchell/Michael Hardy; Producers: Chris Farren/Mickey Jack Cones; Publisher: none listed; Columbia/River House
– Strongly sung. It’s a bitter swipe at a no-good gal who has busted his ticker. The snarling electric guitar work and pounding rhythm in the production match the “edge” in his performance. I think this youngster might be headed for big things.

CLARE DUNN/Salt and Lime
Writers: Clare Dunn/Jeff Trott; Producer: Jeff Trott; Publisher: none listed; Big Yellow Dog
– First of all, the song sounds like an ultimate summer anthem. Second of all, her liquid-alto singing voice is a sultry delight. Third of all, it’s a lot more country than her previous releases. Go for it.

LEE BRICE/Hey World
Writers: Adam Wood/Dallas Davidson/Lee Brice; Producer: Lee Brice; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– This man always seems to hit an emotional bullseye. We have all felt the heartache and anguish that assault us every day. This man’s supremely soulful performance of this ballad is an everyman masterpiece. It hits your heart hard with its conviction and eloquence.

TROY CARTWRIGHT/Round and Round
Writers: David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey/Troy Cartwright; Producer: David Garcia; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– The loose-limbed, head-bobbing rhythm track is pretty irresistible. His drawling delivery, a catchy tune and the groovy, repetitive-romance lyric are all on the money, too.