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.

DISClaimer: Luke Combs And Eric Church Make “A Country Masterpiece”

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Luke Combs. Photo: Jim Wright

The decisions were made before I ever typed a word.

All I had to see in my listening stack was the phrase “Luke Combs & Eric Church,” and I knew what the Disc of the Day would be. They didn’t disappoint. The song is a country masterpiece.

The advance hype on Randall King also made me predisposed toward him. He didn’t disappoint, either, although his phrasing is uncomfortably close to established superstar Strait. Give the boy a DisCovery Award.

RANDALL KING/Hey Cowgirl
Writers: Randall King/Brice Long/Mark Nesler; Producers: Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Publishers: none listed: Warner
– Move over, George Strait, there’s a new cowboy in town. File this guy under, “Saving Country Music,” because he’s the Real Deal. Wistful heartache, honky-tonk blues and farewell affection all wrapped up perfectly.

EDDIE MONTGOMERY/Crazies Welcome
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Lance Miller/Jessi Alexander; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
– We’ve got enough “perfect” and “right things.” How about some off-center, troubled, nutso, loving, hurting, damaged compatriots in this bar? I’m with you on this ballad, buddy.

DELLA MAE/First Song Dancer
Writers: Celia Woodsmith/Kimber Ludiker; Producer: Dan Knobler; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
– This all-female band is back following a long hiatus. The gals have toughened up their sound, adding barroom attitude, thumping rhythm, roadhouse piano and some honky-tonk sass. Get out there and swing along.

OLD DOMINION/Never Be Sorry
Writers: Brad Tursi/Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion/Shane McAnally; Publisher: none listed; RCA Nashville
– Jittery rhythms, jaunty vocals, catchy hooks. The finger snaps are a nice touch, too.

BRENT SNYDER/Fight The Tide
Writer: Brent Snyder; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BS
– It’s a pop power ballad with a tenor vocal that delivers with an earnest, whispery quality. The message is empowering survival.

ELEVEN HUNDRED SPRINGS/This Morning It Was Too Late
Writers: Matt Hillyer/Chad Rueffer; Producers: Steven Berg/Matt Hillyer/Chad Rueffer; Publishers: Canton Street/Cricket Lips, ASCAP/BMI; State Fair (track)
– Deliciously country. His remorseful heartbroken tenor vocal, the sighing steel, poetic guitar solo, bounced-bow fiddle and smoky honky-tonk atmosphere are all exquisite. This swirled around my head like a dream. Thank you, Texas. Thank you.

LUKE COMBS & ERIC CHURCH/Does To Me
Writers: Luke Combs/Ray Fulcher/Tyler Reeve; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Machine/50 Egg/Straight Dimes/Larkin Hill/Works of RHA/I Know Songs/Warner-Tamerlane/BMI; River House/Columbia (track)
– I’m in heaven. Two of my ultimate favorites, together on disc. Not only that, the lyric is the heart-tugging testimony of a blue-collar average joe’s little victories and soul enrichers. Make this a Song of the Year, No. 1 smash and I just might believe in country music again.

CROSS ATLANTIC/Everybody’s Looking For Love
Writers: Karli Chayne/James Sinclair-Stott/Derek George/Tim Owens; Producers: Derek George/James Sinclair-Stott; Publisher: none listed; CA
– Missouri meets the U.K. in this male-female duo. Karli’s winsome soprano takes the lead with James’s soft harmony backing her flawlessly on this midtempo melodic breeze. Well produced and radio ready.

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are
Writers: Chase Rice/Hunter Phelps/Lindsay Rimes; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Warner Chappell/Sony ATV/no performance rights listed; BBR
– He gets serious demerits for being associated with trash like The Bachelor. And even more for this practically spoken, hip-hoppy, disposable ditty.

DISClaimer: Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark, Jessi Alexander, Drew Fish Top New Releases

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Ashley McBryde. Photo: Daniel Meigs

This day belongs to country’s new breed.

Jordan Davis, Brandon Lay, Logan Mize and Filmore are all here with new sounds. I have expressed my affection for all of them in the past, and I am happy to report that they are starting the new year off with audio excellence.

Three of my favorite new female artists are with us today as well. Ashley McBryde, Brandy Clark and Disc of the Day winner Jessi Alexander all belong on your playlists. Do this now.

Texan Drew Fish wins this week’s DisCovery Award.

BRANDON LAY/For My Money
Writers: Brandon Lay/Andrew DeRoberts; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; EMI
– Pretty funky. Pretty groovy. Pretty infectious. Pretty dang good. He’s fakin’ it ‘til he makes it, because she thinks he’s got money that he ain’t.

ASHLEY McBRYDE/Martha Divine
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Jeremy Spillman; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This dark ditty rocks. She’s out for revenge against Miss Martha because that Jezebel is Daddy’s lover. It’s been awhile since we had a good murder lyric in country music, hasn’t it? Not to mention a solid story song.

JORDAN DAVIS/Heads Carolina, Tails California
Writers: Mark D. Sanders/Tim Nichols; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Amazon/MCA
– Jordan takes the Jo Dee Messina oldie at a slower, bluesier pace. It has a rump-shaking, head bobbing vibe. Which is mighty attractive and also shines a light on how well written the song is. I could definitely get used to this addictive groove.

LOGAN MIZE/I Ain’t Gotta Grow Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Yellow Dog
– I dig this guy. Everything he does is just so listenable….. and so country. This is a party bopper with an itchy beat, a jaunty vocal and a smiling attitude. In other words, a hit. There’s an equally delightful version with country up-and-comer Willie Jones.

BRANDY CLARK/Who You Thought I Was
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce: Publisher: none listed; Warner
– This woman is just awesome, that’s all. Her liquid vocal, her lovely melody, her pristinely constructed song and her overall artistry are all perfectly in place here. She is a country queen if I have ever heard one in my life.

DREW FISH & PAM TILLIS/Every Damn Time
Writers: Drew Fish/Roger Brown/Chris Colston; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; DF
– Tennessee meets Texas on this shiny, shimmery, romantic waltz. It’s on Lone Star State traditionalist Drew’s CD Wishful Drinkin.’

FILMORE/State I’m In
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– He can’t outrun her memory, but at least he’s rocking out. I particularly like the way the drums are miked in this fresh sounding track. Filmore’s tenor vocal is also well recorded. Who produced this?

JESSI ALEXANDER/Mama Drank
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall; Producers: Jessi Alexander/Jon Randall Stewart/Leslie Richter; Publisher: none listed; JA
– This is the “workin’ mom blues,” complete with a solid backbeat, a hillbilly soul-sister vocal, lotsa guitar twang and a minor key moan or two. I have always been a super fan of this woman. But this something else from this brilliant creator, a stone masterpiece.

CODY PURVIS/Drinkin’ Terms
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CP
– Well, it’s a novel idea for a song. An ex tries to contact him, but he tells her, “We ain’t on drinkin’ terms.” In other words, it’s over, babe.

A THOUSAND HORSES/Drinking Song
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Low Country
-Sounds like an anthem to me. The combination here is a solidly country song with searing electric guitar work.

DISClaimer: Morgan Wallen, Jason James Lead New Music Releases

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Happy New Year, country-music fans.

Today, we have all kinds of contemporary country sounds, from rock-country to bluegrass-country, from rap-country to country-country.

In the last category, put your hands together for a Texas wonder named Jason James. He is country, country, country, and is my DisCovery Award winner, hands down.

The Disc of the Day belongs to that consistent charmer, Morgan Wallen.

TAYLON HOPE/Could’ve Been A Country Song
Writers: Bill DiLuigi/Taylon Hope; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed; SESAC/BMI; GTR (track)
– She’s still a teen, but she sure knows her way around a song. This soaring rocker depicts rural romance with verve and panache. The nicely crafted lyric is married to a propulsive production that fires on all cylinders. Very promising.

SAM HUNT/Sinning With You
Writers: Sam Hunt/Paul DiGiovanni/Josh Osborne/Emily Weisband; Producer: Bryce Cain/Zach Crowell; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
– I love the minimalism of this. The stark production throws all the emphasis on the ultra romantic, sensual lyric and the sincerity of the vocal performance. Excellent work.

SONG SUFFRAGETTES/The Man
Writer: Taylor Swift/Joel Little; Producers: Taylor Swift/Joel Little; Publisher: UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORAS DE MUSICA – UBEM, EMI Music Publishing, LatinAutor, Sony ATV Publishing, BMI – Broadcast Music Inc., CMRRA, LatinAutor – SonyATV, SOLAR Music Rights Management; Label: SS
– Awesome job, ladies — 17 members of the Nashville female, singer-songwriter collective have teamed up for this delightful “Me2” video and track. It’s a cover of a current Taylor Swift song that totally suits the group’s ethos. The Suffragettes have been challenging country’s gender discrimination for five years now, but never more forcefully than here. Check it out, because it is super bodacious. (For the record, the sisterhood-is-powerful voices assembled here belong to Chloe Gilligan, Sarabeth Taite, Reyna Roberts, Maddison Krebs, Tasji, Regan Stewart, Emily Brooke, Erin Grand, Caroline Marquard, Mia Morris, Michelle Pereira, Nora Collins, Gray Robinson, Raquel Cole, Stevie Woodward, Lexi Lauren and Carter Faith — that’s in the order of their appearance in the video).

BLAKE SHELTON & GWEN STEFANI/Nobody But You
Writers: Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Tommy Lee James; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Downtown/BMG Rights/Words & Music/Big Deal, no performance rights listed; Warner Music
– Lusciously romantic. The lyric is dynamite, and the echoey production shudders and thunders quietly behind Blake’s intense lead-vocal performance. Gwen’s harmony and soft interjections are mixed in a gently ear-tickling fashion. A dandy listening experience.

FLAT RIVER BAND/Every Dog Has Its Day
Writer: Chad Sitze; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Early Bird (track)
– Hillbilly charming. The sound is kinda bluegrass-with-a-beat. The fiddle and dobro make merry with the snappy drumming and deep bass while the three group members dish out their flannel-shirt, trio harmonies.

MORGAN WALLEN/This Bar
Writers: Morgan Wallen/Michael Hardy/Jackson Morgan/Jake Scott/Ernest K. Smith/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: none listed; Big Loud
– I love everything about this. Love his stone-country writing, his roadhouse attitude, his drawling singing voice and the tempo, tempo, tempo production. I even love Morgan’s individualistic fashion sense. This man is a star.

JASON JAMES/Seems Like Tears Ago
Writer: Jason James; Producer: John Evans; Publisher; Jason James, BMI; Melodyville (track)
– Say “amen,” somebody. This guy is so country it hurts, and I mean, “hurts so good.” The spirit of George Jones hovers over this steel-drenched honky-tonk lament. If you love real country music, stop what you’re doing right now and spin this on YouTube. Sign me up for the fan club.

THE CADILLAC THREE/All The Makin’s of a Saturday Night
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Josh Dunne/Neil Mason; Producers: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine
– These guys continue to plow the ground between hard rock and country, this time adding a quasi-rap vocal performance. It’s not at all my cup of tea, but ESPN has been using the track during its college-football broadcasts.

MATT KENNON/Love Is Stronger
Writer: Mike Mobley; Producer: Paul Worley; Publisher: none listed; Roaddawg (track)
– It’s a power ballad with a potent message of recovery and triumph. He’s not the world’s greatest vocalist, but he gets the job done thanks to urgency and oomph.

HARDY, LAUREN ALAINA, & DEVIN DAWSON/One Beer
Writers: Hillary Lindsay/Jake Mitchell/Michael Wilson Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi/Derek Wells; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– Ya have a couple of brews, and the next thing ya know, yer in a trailer park with babies running around all over the place. Hick hop.

DISClaimer: Christmas Greetings From Keith Urban, Chris Janson, Tenille Townes, Maddie & Tae

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Country music wears its heart on its sleeve all year long, so the sentimentality of Christmas music fits the genre perfectly.

A plethora of country acts issued seasonal songs this year. In addition to the 10 reviewed here, we also have offerings from Lacy J. Dalton, Mags, Darryl Worley, King Calaway, J.T. Hodges, Cam, Paulina Jaye, Wade Bowen, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Temecula Road, The Gibson Brothers, Rachel Wammack, Clare Dunn, Lauren Lucas, Mike Aiken and a bluezillion more.

Our Discs of the Day on the distaff side are the singles by Tenille Townes and Maddie & Tae. The male Disc of the Day winners are Chris Janson and Keith Urban.

KEITH URBAN/I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight
Writers: Urban/Shane McAnally; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; UMG
– This has a cool, retro, doo-wop feel, complete with piano triplets and a bluesy melody. The sound of an instant classic?

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS/Don’t Go Pullin’on Santa Claus’ Beard
Writers: Anderson East/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Lightning
– The Oaks’ new Down Home Christmas album is one of this year’s best. Producer Dave Cobb mixes the quartet’s harmony singing front and center and puts the emphasis on newly composed holiday tunes. This light-hearted one has Joe taking the lead with Richard dipping down low on the title phrase. Also check out the fun, festive “Reindeer on the Roof,” with a video shot at Santa’s Pub, as well as the Jamey Johnson/Bill Anderson/Buddy Cannon tune “South Alabama Christmas.”

THOMAS RHETT/Christmas In The Country
Writers: Thomas Rhett/David Garcia/Ashley Gorley/Chris Tomlin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– Pleasant, if somewhat routine and forgettable. Mid-tempo pudding.

JENNY TOLMAN/Cowboy For Christmas
Writers: Tolman/Dave Brainard/Bill Whyte; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed
– Sweet, wistful, gentle and yearning. It’s a lovely country waltz wishing that Santa will rope her a wrangler for a present. Smooth as silk.

CHRIS JANSON/Run Run Rudolph
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Mr. Energy takes Chuck Berry’s holiday classic out for a rollicking country spin and it is a boatload of fun, fun, fun.

TENILLE TOWNES/One In a Million
Writers: Tenille Townes/Daniel Tashian; Producer: Tashian; Publisher: none listed; Columbia Nashville
– Tenille’s Songs for Christmas includes this dreamy, jazzy ditty wherein her soprano wafts above simple guitar work and cushiony strings. It’s as pretty and seductive as can be.

DYLAN SCOTT/I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– His collection is titled, simply, Merry Christmas. And it consists, also simply, of his renditions of evergreen favorites such as this classic ballad. Background music lacking any innovation.

MADDIE & TAE/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
– Taken at a languid tempo, this classic is lushly arranged. So their vocals sound luminous and sparkly. Nicely done, ladies.

SHANE OWENS/Nothing Compares To Christmas
Writers: Shane Owens/Galen Griffin/Melissa Querry; Producer: Nick Lutz & Melissa Querry; Publishers: none listed; Amerimonte
– His country-as-grits voice delivers the sentiments in this ballad so effectively. A steel sighs and strings softly embellish the mood.

CHARLES ESTEN/On The Road To Bethlehem
Writers: Charles Esten/Mark Collie; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CE
– This is a stark, guitar-voice performance. Which is cool. Also intriguing/unusual is the fact that the ballad is sung from the point of view of Joseph while he’s on the road with pregnant Mary. Recommended.

DISClaimer: Sammy Kershaw, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bellamy Brothers Showcase New Music

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Mary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Jonathan Stewart

Old friends are the best friends.

At least that’s what this listening session feels like. Country classics Sammy Kershaw, The Bellamy Brothers, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Joe Diffie are checking in with new sounds, and in all cases they are better than those by the younger artists in this edition of “DisClaimer.”

In fact, the Disc of the Day winner is “Over the Moon” by the veteran Bellamy Brothers.

Give a DisCovery Award to Cooper Alan. He sure sounds like a keeper to these ears.

Speaking of my ears, several readers pointed out that the “rhythm track” I cited in last week’s review of Home Free is, in fact, one of the a cappella group’s members beat boxing. Which I should have guessed. My bad.

COOPER ALAN/Climate Change
Writers: Cooper Alan/Seth Mosley/Victoria Shaw; Producers: Shaw/Mosley; Publisher: none listed; Cooped Up
– He has a very cool, resonant vocal tone. The clever lyric says that climate change “sucks” because his once-hot love affair has turned cold. Highly listenable and hooky.

KAILEY NICOLE/Diamonds and Coal
Writers: none listed; Producer: Niles Thomas; Publisher: none listed; KN
– Fiery and uptempo, this has vim and vigor to spare. This single will appear on a self-titled EP due on Jan. 24. Nicole is Vegas-born and L.A.-raised, but now calls Music City home.

JOE DIFFIE & MARC BROUSSARD/Pride & Joy
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Diffie
– Diffie and Broussard get bluesy on this rocking reworking of a Stevie Ray Vaughan tune. You’ll find it on his limited-edition, green-vinyl, greatest-hits LP titled Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie.

BELLAMY BROTHERS/Over The Moon
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
– Utterly lovely. The romantic ballad is drenched in steel guitar and has a country melody to die for. Howard’s lead vocal is as warm as a blanket.

FILMORE/London
Writers: Filmore/John Luke Carter; Producers: Zach Abend/John Luke Carter; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Kinda poppy, and undeniably catchy. The breezy tempo and jaunty tone contrast nicely with the guilt in the lyric about seeing the wonders of London without her by his side. Well worth your spins.

RAELYNN/Bra Off
Writers: RaeLynn/Josh Kerr/Emily Weisband; Producer: Corey Crowder; Publisher: none listed; Round Here
– “Breaking up with you is like taking my bra off.” If you say so.

LANCE CARPENTER & RICHIE McDONALD/Last Night in Memphis
Writers: Lance Carpenter/Richie McDonald; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; LC
– This punchy, emotional ballad is about a little girl who is cured of cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Baritone Lance delivers the lead vocal with loads of heart.

SAMMY KERSHAW/My Friend Fred
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Hit
– As always, Sammy delivers the goods as a vocalist. The well-written song is a sensitive, thoughtful meditation about the destructive power of drug addiction. Highly recommended.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER/Our Man Walter Cronkite
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jamie Mefford; Publisher: none listed; MCC
– Echoey and hushed, her performance gently muses about the contrast between the news of her youth versus the awfulness of today. An orchestra softly builds around her as the track unfolds like a dream.

THE WILD FEATHERS/Jacksonville to Jackson Hole
Writers: Eric Church/Casey Beathard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; WF
– This is a fine song, but it sounds kinda under-produced. Besides, I liked them better when they rocked.

DISClaimer: Battle of the Bands

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It’s a Battle of the Bands.

With new tracks by High Valley, Home Free, the Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town and Midland, this edition of “DisClaimer” is dominated by groups. Even Teddy Robb has found strength in numbers, by re-imagining his fine “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” as a duet.

At the end of the day, we have a dead heat between Home Free and the Zac Brown Band for the Disc of the Day award. Both are heart-stopping listening experiences.

As we had no room for newcomers today, there is no DisCovery Award winner.

SAM GROW/Drink About That
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joes
– Superb. Guitars moan and sigh and crash around him as he aches for a lost love. His solidly country delivery is perfect. The song is a total gem. This is the lovesick blues for a modern generation. Also check out the video with its powerful, don’t-text-and-drive message.

LINDSAY ELL/I Don’t Love You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Her most expressive vocal to date. The downcast ballad finds her musing amid memories. The contrast between the intimate, hushed verses and the open-throated choruses is terrific. As usual, her searing guitar work adds zest. Very involving.

HIGH VALLEY/Your Mama
Writers: Ben West/Josh Miller/Troy Verges/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Warner
-Mellow family values.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/Bluebird
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA/Vanner
– She sounds strikingly winsome, touching and youthful here. The tune has verve and hooks a-plenty. The track is at once spare and deeply complex. The lyric has a lovely, self-portrait quality that’s poetic, introspective and hopeful. All in all, a highly addictive listening experience.

TEDDY ROBB & MEGHAN PATRICK/Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You
Writers: Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Shane McAnally/Ben Fowler/Matt McGinn; Monument
– The groove is great, and both vocals are loaded with warmth and personality. The lyrics are packed with cool little lines — “gin and platonic,” “gettin’ back to where we left the past at,” “wine is gonna turn into why-not.” I have liked Teddy in the past, and I remain a fan. Canadian-country award winner Meghan is a worthy duet foil for him. In short, this sounds an awful lot like a hit record.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Leaving Love Behind
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Wheelhouse/BBR
– Soulful, heartfelt and richly satisfying. The uplifting ballad production is gorgeous yet understated. As always, the vocal harmonies are thrilling. They are a one-of-a-kind group, and I love them so much for that.

MORGAN EVANS/Diamonds
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– “I love you like a diamond, and diamonds are forever.” There you have it, complete with one-man-band burbles, beats and loops.

MIDLAND/Cheatin’ Songs
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– These guys need to come up with melodies that are a little more original sounding.

HOME FREE/Love Me Like That
Writers: Austin Brown/Jeffrey Joseph East/Stephen Martinez; Producers: Darren Rust/Home Free; Publishers: Calhoun Enterprise/peermusic; Home Free
– One thing’s for certain, these guys can sure ‘nuff sing. Tenor lead vocalist Austin Brown turns in an absolutely stunning, sky-high performance here. The group’s a cappella roots are still showing, but there’s a rhythm track, too. And that drives this thing straight into the stratosphere. My ears were definitely pinned back.

LITTLE BIG TOWN/Sugar Coat
Writers: Josh Kerr/Jordyn Shellhart/Lori McKenna; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– Intense and heartbreaking. Smiling through betrayal and infidelity burns with pain. The track is pretty much a Karen Fairchild solo, but the all-consuming female lyric is so brilliant that maybe that was the best choice. The ‘60s retro video starring Kate Bosworth is a dynamite mini movie.