DISClaimer: Newcomers Chad Richard, CB30, Dani-Elle Offer Fresh Tracks

/by

Today is a day for new beginnings.

More than half of the hopefuls in this edition of DISClaimer are first-timers in the column. So we’re handing out multiple DISCovery Awards.

The male winner hails from Austin, Texas, where grit and honesty still matter. Chad Richard sounds as comfy as a pair of faded jeans. Our female DISCovery is another singer-songwriter with hit potential, Dani-Elle. The duo/group prize goes to the shiny, buoyant stylists of CB30.

As for the Disc of the Day, that would belong to Sturgill Simpson. You’ll recall that his Sailor’s Guide to Earth won the 2017 Grammy as Country Album of the Year. By the sound of things, he’s back on another winning streak.

ZACH STONE/Hands On
Writers: Zach Stone/Will Stone/Casey Cattle; Producer: Matt Billingslea; Publishers: none listed; ZSC
– Catchy song. Radio ready. His singing voice isn’t particularly distinctive, but he gets the job done. The electric guitarist gets way too busy in the finale.

STURGILL SIMPSON/The Dead Don’t Die
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Elektra
– Beautiful in every way. His hard-country baritone vocal is as warm as a fireside. The steel-saturated track glows like antique jewelry. This Grammy winner’s authenticity is just what country music lacks right now. The song is the title tune to a new zombie comedy film featuring Bill Murray, Selena Gomez and Adam Driver. Get on board now.

BRINN BLACK/72’s
Writers: Brinn Black/Briana Tyson/Brittney Kennell; Producer: Nolan Neal Seals; Publsihers: Floor Six/Breelo, BMI/SOCAN
– Plaintive and yearning in the verses. Triumphant in the choruses. Very promising. Send more.

TANYA TUCKER/The Wheels of Laredo
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Tim Hanseroth/Phil Hanseroth; Producers: Brandi Carlile/Shooter Jennings; Publishers: none listed; Fantasy
– Country-music perfection. This legendary voice is like no other. The Southwestern imagery and rolling melody of the song have a classic sound. Can’t wait for the album.

DANI-ELLE/Head For Home
Writers: Dani-elle/Marie Kieha; Producer: Chip Martin; Publishers: none listed; DKE
– She sings with authority and assurance. The stately ballad plods a little, but the force in her performance and the strength of the lyric’s message keep you hanging on.

WALKER HAYES/Don’t Let Her
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Monument
– It’s more of a groove than an actual melody. Warmly romantic, hip-hop flavored and blandly pleasing.

CHAD RICHARD/Slow Rollin’ State Line
Writer: Chad Richard; Producers: Walt Wilkins/Ron Rlynt; Publisher: Barn Noise, BMI
– Kinda loping and hillbilly funky. He has a cool, weathered, soulful, drawling singing style. The track lays back in a rhythmic pocket featuring a wandering fiddle and a lazy guitar. Very well done.

CHASE RICE/Lonely If You Are
Writers: Chase Rice/Lindsay Rimes/Hunter Phelps; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: none listed; BBR
– All the guitar noodling, finger snapping and drum thump in the world can’t save this limp, tuneless, dull snooze of single.

BAILEY CALLAHAN/Home Made
Writers: Bailey Calahan/Jared Anderson/Ryan Robinette; Producer: Robbie Artress; Publishers: none listed; Pink Mustang
– The just-folks message and her country-girl delivery match perfectly. The track bounces right along with her.

CB30/That Moment When
Writers: Christian Clement/Matt McVaney/Kevin Bard/Jacob Davis; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Buena Vista
– Brothers Christian and Brody (hence the “CB”) Clementi have a very appealing, youthful sound. Their harmony blend is exquisite, and the swirly, pop-ish production gives the whole outing a sweet, dreamy quality. They also look like Disney teen heartthrobs.

DISClaimer: Trisha Yearwood Is “Magnificent” On “Every Girl In This Town”

/by

What country acts have timed new music for release during CMA Fest?

Well, that parade includes such familiar names as Old Dominion, Tracy Lawrence, Julie Roberts, Jake Owen, the Zac Brown Band and our Disc of the Day winner, Trisha Yearwood.

Also: Old Crow Medicine Show member Chance McCoy steps out as a solo artist to claim a DisCovery Award.

TRISHA YEARWOOD/Every Girl In This Town
Writers: Erik Dylan/Caitlyn Smith/Connie Harrington; Producer: Garth Fundis; Publishers: none listed; Gwendolyn
– Magnificent. This is one of the greatest voices, male or female, in this or any other format. The driving song soars with youthful nostalgia and optimism, and just the right spice of empowerment. Yearwood is a goddess. Play her.

JAKE OWEN/Homemade
Writers: Bobby Pinson/Drew Parker/Jared Mullins/Ben Goldsmith; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Loud
– It’s over produced, too processed and “busy” sounding. But the warm ode to small-town values has its heart in the right place. And he’s singing as well as ever.

JULIE ROBERTS/I Couldn’t Make You Love Me
Writers: Rudy Perez/Mark Portmann/John Bettis; Publishers: none listed; Producers: none listed; JR
– She’s always been one of our most underrated singers. On this comeback single, she unleashes admirable power and emotion. I just wish it was a country song instead of a pop ballad.

OLD DOMINION/One Man Band
Writers: none listed; Producer:none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– I like the stripped-down, finger poppin’ sonics of this. The lyric is a left-field delight, a wish for companionship with a music-making metaphor. A nice job by this always dependable ensemble.

JENNY TOLMAN/High Class White Trash
Writers: Jenny Tolman/Dave Brainard; Producers: Dave Brainard; Publishers: none listed; JT
– It is one of the great mysteries of modern times: Why isn’t this gifted woman on a major label? This delightful, lightly funky, fabulously witty outing is yet another brilliant feather in her cap. The beauty-parlor video is a hoot, as is the slightly naughty lyric. Essential listening.

ZAC BROWN BAND/Someone I Used To Know
– This manages the tricky feat of managing to be both catchy and meaningful at the same time. It’s a rhythmic, cautionary tale of a young life wasted. As ever, they are unlike any other act in the country genre. Which is to be applauded.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Find Me Here
– So impressive. Acoustic, raw, vulnerable and painfully real. This ballad of dissolution and despondence cuts mighty close to the bone. This guy has the goods.

TRAVIS DENNING/Tank of Gas And A Radio Song
Writers: Travis Denning/Nathan Spicer/Shane Minor; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
– I have yet to hear a wrong note from this fellow. This thumper has a steamy, simmering, sexy vibe that’s perfect for a hot summer night. Spin it, spin it, spin it.

CHANCE MCCOY/Lonesome Pine
– Best known as a multi-instrumentalist member of Old Crow Medicine Show, McCoy reveals his solo style on this haunting, atmospheric, psych-folk meditation. It has open-air, wafting, whispery, melancholy solitude that is just dreamy.

TRACY LAWRENCE/Made In America
Writers: Tracy Lawrence/Rick Huckaby/Adam Sanders; Producers: Julian King and Tracy Lawrence; LMG
– It is stirring and uplifting and terrifically rhythmic. But it has a too-similar feeling to Toby Keith’s identically titled 2011 chart-topping single.

DISClaimer: Randy Travis Is “Country Greatness” On Previously Unreleased Ballad

/by

Randy Travis. Photo: Robert Tractenberg

Politics and comebacks are in the DisClaimer mix today.

Both John Rich and J.D. & The Straight Shot are commenting on the state of our political discourse. J.D.’s song is better.

As for comebacks, can it get any better than our Disc of the Day winner, Randy Travis? Also: It’s a good day to be Buddy Jewell. He not only cowrote Randy’s single, but has a new comeback CD of his own.

Both of today’s female entries are super efforts. Clare Bowen has the stronger song, and newcomer Emily Rose goes home with a DisCovery Award.

CLARE BOWEN/Let It Rain
Writers: none listed; Producer: Josh Kaufman; Publishers: none listed; BMG
– The deep-twang production is uber cool, and the rhythmic drive is irresistible. Bowen rides atop it all with an uplifting, empowering ode for all survivors. Loved it. Can’t wait for the album.

BRETT YOUNG/Catch
Writers: Brett Young/Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Big Machine/EMI Blackwood/Plain Jane/Rezolant/Sony-ATV/Round Hill Songs II/Combustion Engine/WB, ASCAP; BMLG (track)
– Very much in his breathy, dizzy-in-love personna that we’ve liked before.

RYAN HURD/To a T
Writers: Ryan Hurd/Laura Veltz/Nathan Spicer; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Choppy and poppy, with a warmly sincere vocal presence. It ain’t very “country,” but it goes down smooth and easy. That’s wife Maren Morris on the harmony vocal.

EMILY ROSE/My Way Home
Writers: none listed; Producer: Donnie Skaggs; Publishers: none listed; The Growing Rose
– Very promising. The sonic bed sighs with steel guitar, and her winsome delivery of the lost-my-way lyric has loads of heart. Send more.

THOMAS RHETT & JON PARDI/Beer Can’t Fix
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Julian Bunetta/Zach Skelton/Ryan Tedder; Producers: Dann Huff/Julian Bunetta/Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Crickets on the Line/Sony-ATV/Music of Big Family/Dragon Bunny/Words & Music/Patriot Games/Write Me a Song/Downtown, BMI/ASCAP; Valory (track)
– Pleasantly disposable, breezy and jaunty, with a “beach” vibe. Your problems will all evaporate when you down a cold one, they say. “Turn your frown into a smile real quick/Ain’t nothin’ that a beer can’t fix.”

J.D. & THE STRAIGHT SHOT/The Great Divide
Writers: none listed; Producers: Marc Copley; Publishers: none listed; JD
– An acoustic, bluesy meditation on our troubled political times, embellished with hearty group harmonies on the refrains. Intriguing and atmospheric.

RANDY TRAVIS/One In A Row
Writers: Buddy Jewell/Thom McHugh; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner
– From the first note from his throat, you know you’re in the presence of country greatness. This previously unreleased ballad drips with honky-tonk pathos and drawls with authenticity as this magnificent singer is joined by poetic fiddle, steel and piano comments. An awesome listening experience.

CALE DODDS/I Like Where This Is Going
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner
– Young love, complete with dancing, hugging, kissing and shacking up. Wafting and warmly winning.

BUDDY JEWELL/Taylor Went Pop
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BAM
-This is a riot. It name drops Minnie, Roy, Hank, Elvis, Cash and Roger Miller, all in the first 45 seconds. “The one thing you can count on/Is things are gonna change/Taylor went pop/Pop went country/And we’re still feeling the twang.” You’ll find it on Jewell’s long overdue new CD, Shine On.

JOHN RICH & THE FIVE/Shut Up About Politics
Writers: John Rich/Greg Gutfeld; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Redneck Riviera
– The rocking song has basically two lines, so it wears out its welcome pretty quickly. Instead of talking, he wants you to take a shot of his Redneck Riviera whiskey.

DISClaimer: New Chris Stapleton, P!nk Collab Is “Essential Listening”

/by

P!nk and Chris Stapleton perform onstage during the P!nk Beautiful Trauma 2019 Tour at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2019 in New York City. Photo: Zachary Mazur/WireImage

The year of unusual collaborations continues.

Today, it’s pop queen P!nk and country king Chris Stapleton. Their track on P!nk’s album is essential listening and was a highlight of her recent TV special.

In more familiar terrain, the chest-out, proudly country new track by Jon Pardi wins the Disc of the Day award, and the rockin’ country of James Wesley earns him a DisCovery honor.

LOVE AND THEFT/Gimme Tonight
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Andrew Dorff; Producers: Josh Leo/Jim Ed Norman; Publisher: none listed; Curb
-I have always liked this duo. This pop confection sports their twin-like harmony voices amid a choppy, electronic and sophisticated production. Airplay ready.

SARA EVANS & THE BARKER FAMILY BAND/Dreams
Writer: Stevie Nicks; Producers: Sara Evans/Ben Fowler; Publisher: none listed; Born to Fly
– It sounds almost exactly like the Fleetwood Mac 1977 mega hit, so why not listen to the original version? That said, it is a splendid showcase for how gifted Sara’s teen children are.

JAMES WESLEY/Running
Writers: Marcum Stewart/Zack Wrixon/James Wesely Prosser; Producers: none listed; JWM
– Nicely done. He has a tough, confident, traditional-country vocal delivery, and the band cooks with gas on the rocking track. This has a driving “open road” tone that is perfect for summer.

JOHN BERRY/The Richest Man
Writers: John Berry/Liz Hengber/Will Robinson; Producer: Chuck Howard/Barry Weeks; Publishers: JB/Modern Music Works/Give It All/More Coco/Notting Hill/Will Chill, SESAC/ASCAP/BMI; JB Music
– I never tire of hearing this most fundamental message of country music — happiness doesn’t lie in wealth, but in love. Few have the heart and soul to deliver it as effectively as this guy. Brilliantly crafted, wonderfully melodic, exquisitely poetic and flawlessly produced.

JON PARDI/Heartache Medication
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Capitol
– Just when you thought country music was dead and buried, along comes an artist and a single like this. So righteous and hillbilly, I practically shouted hallelujah. The fiddles-and-steel production, the peppy-two-step rhythm and his drawling delivery are beamed straight from Hillbilly Heaven. Turn it on, turn it up, turn it loose.

P!NK & CHRIS STAPLETON/Love Me Anyway
Writers: James Allen Shamblin II/Tom Douglas/Alecia B. Moore; Producers: Pink/Sal Oliveri/Simon Gooding; Publishers: Sony/ATV, no performance rights listed; RCA
– Gorgeous. It’s a stunning, vulnerable Nashville love ballad that P!nk delivers with seething passion. Stapleton provides occasional harmony and then answers her phrase-for-phrase as the song moves into its luscious finale. I’d have used his vocal talent a little more, but they sound great together.

Youtube video

 

NOE PALMA/This Summer
Writers: Brian Kolb, Brian McElyea, Noe Palma; Producer: Brian Kolb, Brian McElyea, Noe Palma; Publishers: none listed; Mae Capital
– From the “woah-oh” shouted interjections to the generic country-party lyrics, this doesn’t break any new ground. However, the relentless tempo is irresistible and the youthful, “this summer’s gonna last forever” hook is completely captivating. This definitely belongs on your June/July/August playlist.

WALKER HAYES/Don’t Let Her
Writers: Walker Hayes/Shane McAnally/Andrew DeRoberts; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Arista/Monument
– His delivery remains more spoken than sung. I remain confused about how and why this is a “country” artist.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/King of the World
Writers: Troy Jones; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Average Joes
– Hale and hearty. It’s a delightful, cute and clever little ditty about the simple pleasures of being a country boy. Your toes will tap and your lips will smile. I’m a little unclear about the billing. It’s an Eddie Montgomery solo performance, but still seems to have the “Montgomery Gentry” imprimatur.

LEE ANN WOMACK/Hollywood
Writers: Waylon Payne/Mando Saenz/Lee Ann Womack/Adam Wright; Producer: Frank Liddell; Publishers: Drip Rock Creek/Words & Music/Scrambler/Tiltawhirl/Casa de Casa/Carnival, ASCAP/BMI; ATO
– The second single drawn from her acclaimed The Lonely The Lonesome & The Gone collection is a hypnotic, sultry, shimmering heartache ballad. She is an absolutely magical vocalist. To listen is to fall in love.

Youtube video

DISClaimer: New Music From Doug Seegers, Liz Moriondo

/by

Doug Seegers.

Spring has sprung.

We have a number of seasonal sounding platters this week. Southern Halo and Lewis Brice are specifically addressing the upcoming summer fun, while Jesse Labelle, Juliet Simmons Dinallo and Sara Simmons all have airy tracks that suit the weather as well.

The Disc of the Day goes to Doug Seegers. He’s the former Nashville street singer who has become a big deal in Europe. I’d lend him your ears if I were you.

Our DisCovery Award this week goes to Liz Moriondo. She hails from the Missouri Ozarks and is evidently a big favorite on outdoorsy TV shows and on the NASCAR circuit.

KOLT BARBER/Cowboy
Writer: Kolt Barber; Producer: Kolt Barber; Publisher: Buck & Spur, BMI; Barbed Wire
– Macho baritone vocal, rebel attitude, rocking electric guitars. Crisply produced and thoroughly listenable. Not my cup of tea, but whatever floats your boat.

SOUTHERN HALO/Sunshine
Writers: Natalia Elizabeth Morris/Stephen B. Liles/Eric Gunderson; Producer: Catt Gravitt; Publishers: Halo Baby/Original Hooligan/Gunderson, BMI/ASCAP
– Here comes summer. The Morris sisters have a song for the season with this tuneful, harmony-kissed sparkler.

CHUCK MEAD/Big Bear In The Sky
Writer: Charles Mead; Producer: Matt Ross Spang; Publisher: Pagan Idol, BMI; Plowboy (track)
– A retro-rockabilly, echo-chamber, deep-twang fest. Mead was a founder of BR5-49 as well as the musical director of the Million Dollar Quartet musical. Today, he’s a roots-music gem who’s a regular Opry visitor. This is drawn from his highly recommended CD Close to Home, which drops next month.

SARA SIMMONS/Oh I Need You
Writers: Sara Simmons; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Mollydogrecords, ASCAP; SS
– Scampering and sprightly, with rippling banjo backing. Her hillbilly soprano floats above the peppy track nicely. The lyric isn’t much, but the overall energy sells it nonetheless.

DOUG SEEGERS/Demon Seed
Writers: Doug Seegers; Producer: Joe Henry; Publisher: none listed; BMG
– Kinda haunting, minor key and very, very cool. His penetrating vocal wail rolls in a dramatic, echoey, electro-shuddering band arrangement that sounds like the undertow of doom. A thrilling listening experience.

LIZ MORIONDO/You Made Me
Writers: Liz Moriondo/Steve Mitchell/Chris Drizen; Producer: Johnny Dibb; Publisher: Bud Diesel/Grin Like a Dog/Boston Born, BMI/SOCAN/SESAC; Gone Fishin
– Her range-y vocal is so super expressive that your ears are glued to the speakers. The well-written song is a paean to a loving mom. Just in time for Mother’s Day, it couldn’t be a more timely addition to your playlist. Spin it now.

LEWIS BRICE/Summertime Vibes
Writers: Lewis Brice/Nick Norman/Ben Simonetti; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Pump House
– It sounds exactly like a beach party, with a thumpy, rump-shaking rhythm track as well as a catchy, sunny, sing-along tune. Irresistibly fun and smiley.

JULIET SIMMONS DINALLO/Tennessee
Writers: Juliet Simmons Dinallo; Producers: Michael Dinallo/Ducky Carlisle; Publishers: Crooked Road, BMI; Audium (track)
– Bright and pert and sort of “innocent” sounding. The song is too wordy and takes too long to get to the hook.

JESSE LABELLE/Call Me Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Publisher: none listed; Just Listen
– Splendidly breezy country-pop, with an attractive come-on lyric. Lilting and lovely. Jesse isn’t kidding about that title. He really does want you to call him up at 615-823-8779.

LONNIE SPIKER/Behind The Clown
Writer: Lonnie Spiker; Producer: Curt Ryle; Publisher: Den N Dust, ASCAP; Megalith (track)
– He is as country as can be. But he just doesn’t sing all that well. Pitchy is the word.

DISClaimer: Luke Combs, Brandon Ratcliff Debut Top New Tunes

/by

Luke Combs

Today belongs to the youngsters.

This column is packed with the up-and-comers who are shaping the future of the country genre. There’s nary a superstar in sight.

There is one guy who is closing in on superstardom. That would be Luke Combs, who finishes in a dead heat with newby Tyler Rich for the Disc of the Day prize.

With a debut single that shows loads of promise, Brandon Ratcliff wins a DisCovery Award.

DUSTIN LYNCH/Ridin’ Roads
Writers: Dustin Lynch, Ashley Gorley/Zach Crowell; Producer: Zach Crowell; Publisher:Magic Mustang Music (BMI) admin by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI), Round Hill Songs II (ASCAP), Caleb’s College Fund (ASCAP) admin by Round Hill Songs II, Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP), Miller Crow Music (ASCAP) admin by Spirit Two Nashville, Kyler’s Kinda Night (ASCAP) admin by Spirit Two Nashville; BBR
– Well done. His velvet vocal eases over this airy, echoey production and a small-town lyric infused with romance. An audio delight.

TENILLE TOWNES/I Kept The Roses
Writers: Tenille Townes/Dustin Christensen/Chris Gelbuda; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Year of the Dog Music (admin by Downtown)/Scrambler Music (admin by Bluewater)/National Dog Music (admin by Downtown); ASCAP/SESAC; Columbia
– Her piercing, plaintive vocal delivery contrasts attractively with the retro r&b groove of this ballad. She remains one of our most distinctive new talents.

TYLER RICH/Leave Her Wild
Writers: Tyler Rich, Chris DeStefano, Jon Nite; Producer: Julian Raymond/Lindsay Rimes; Publishers:Hot Rod 98 Music/Tyler Rich Publishing (SESAC). All rights o/b/o Hot Rod 98 Music and Tyler Rich Publishing administered by Big Machine Music, LLC./ EMI April Music Inc. / CDs Words and Music / Nite Writer Music. All rights o/b/o EMI April Music Inc., CDs Words and Music and Nite Writer Music administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC; Valory
– Very cool. The message is this — If you’re gonna love the woman, don’t try to change her and accept her for who she is. The production soars. He sings with great heart. This fellow continues to impress with every effort.

Teddy Robb/Tell Me Now
Writers: Teddy Robb/Blake Chaffin/Aaron Eshuis; Producers: Shane McAnally/Ben Fowler/Matt McGinn; Publishers: Teddy Robb Music / Songs Of Smack (BMI) / Smackville Music (ASCAP) / Limestone Road / Music Of Parallel (BMI); Monument
– I like how the spare production lets the heartache lyric stay in the spotlight. There’s a certain comfy warmth in his voice that makes him a very effective communicator here.

LUKE COMBS/Beer Never Broke My Heart
Writers: Luke Combs/Randy Montana/Jonathan Singleton; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Big Music Machine/50 Egg Music/Straight Dimes Publishing (BMI) adm by Big Machine Music, LLC. © 2019 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Sullivan S Guns Music (BMI) adm by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. © 2019 Super Big Music/Jett Music (ASCAP) adm by Big Machine Music, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.; Columbia/River House
– Want to know why this guy’s career is blowing up? It’s because he is a country-music artist. Got that? Country music. The rest of you should take note. He’s singing his face off on this barroom brawler. Guaranteed to make you want to crack open a cold one.

COLT FORD/We The People
Writers: Corey Crowder/James McNair/Brandon Kinney; Producers: Noah Gordon/Shannon Houchins; Publishers: WB/Big Crowd/Georgia Song Vibez/Stay Creative/Sony-ATV Countryside/Whiskey Tub/Peermusic III, ASCAP/BMI; Average Joes
– As usual, he doesn’t actually sing as much as he just exudes attitude. This is a rowdy, rockin’ stomper with hooks a-plenty. Which is to say, it’s as catchy as can be.

MATT STELL/Prayed For You
Writers: Allison Margaret Veltz/Ash Bowers/Matt Stell; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Words & Music/Big Deal/Amplified Administration/Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; Arista/RECORDS
– The winsome song is well crafted, and he sings with gusto. The paint-by-numbers production does nothing for me.

BRANDON RATCLIFF/Rules of Breaking Up
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/AJ Babcock/Pete Good; Producers: Pete Good/Shane McAnally; Publishers: none listed; Monument
– Very promising. It’s a little too pop for my taste, but his gentle vocal delivery and the twisty heartbreak melody are certainly ear catching. Brandon is the son of Suzanne Cox of the esteemed Cox Family, so music is in the boy’s blood.

SEAFORTH/Love That
Writers: Tom Jordan/Mitchell Thompson/Daniel Ross/Michael Whitworth; Producers: Dann Huff/Seaforth; Publishers: Incognito Street Music/Smoke Tavern Publishing (BMI/APRA) ©2019 Mitchell Thompson Publishing / Big Music Machine/Florida Song Vibez/I Finally Got Some Riser House Publishing BMI/APRA/ASCAP/SESAC
– Breezy and summery, with a nice thumpy backbeat and youthful, boyish vocals. An attractive debut.

JAKE OWEN/Homemade
Writers: Ben Goldsmith/Bobby Pinson/Drew Parker/Jared Mullins; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Warner Chappell/BMG Rights Management, no performance rights listed; Big Loud
– His comeback remains on a roll with this rolling ride through the countryside. This sunny outing has summertime hit written all over it.

DISClaimer: An Americana Blend From Richard Dobson, Yola, The Cactus Blossoms

/by

The Cactus Blossoms. Photo Nate Ryan, courtesy of Shorefire Media

Today’s Americana survey covers quite a bit of sonic ground — bluegrass, pop, soul, rockabilly and folk all turned up during the listening session.

There’s so much to like here that we’re dividing the Disc of the Day award into three departments. The Male prize goes to the late, great Richard Dobson. The Female honor goes to Yola. The Group du Jour is The Cactus Blossoms.

And please give a DisCovery Award to Kristina Murray.

WILL KIMBROUGH/I Like It Down Here
Writers: Will Kimbrough; Producer: Will Kimbrough; Publisher: Will Kimbrough, BMI; Daphne (BMI)
– If you’re not already a Will Kinbrough fan, there is something wrong with you. As a collaborator, just ask Shemekia Copeland, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Emmylou Harris, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Mavis Staples, Billy Joe Shaver, Jimmy Buffett or Josh Rouse about his worth. In Daddy, he was aligned with the esteemed Tommy Womack. Before that, were Will & The Bushmen and The Bis-quits. Will has put his solo recording career back on the front burner with the title tune of his new collection. It’s a bluesy, white-trash anthem that’s maybe a lot true and maybe kinda ironic. Whichever the case, it’s a drawling, slow-burn, Americana delight.

THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS/Please Don’t Call Me Crazy
Writers: none listed; Producers: Page Burkum/Jack Torrey; Publisher: none listed; Walkie Talkie
– Hot stuff. Burkum and Torrey are modern-day Everlys with their sibling harmonies. The track crackles with neo-rockabilly energy. The duo hails from Minneapolis, but did much of the writing for their new Easy Way sophomore CD in Music City. This thrilling thumper of a track is being used as promo music on the TCM channel, and the Blossoms have also appeared on TV’s Twin Peaks. These guys definitely have the goods. Listen immediately.

DELLA MAE/Bourbon Hound
Writers: Celia Woodsmith; Producer: Della Mae; Publishers: Squawkbox, ASCAP; Rounder (track)
– Boston’s loss was Nashville’s gain when this hotshot female foursome relocated. This sizzling track kicks off a new EP titled The Butcher Shoppe. Whether it’s the sassy lead singing, the flawless group harmonies or the blazing fiddle, mandolin and guitar solos, this edgy bluegrass tune is gonna grab you and not let go. Esteemed guest stars Molly Tuttle and Avril Smith are along for the romp. Covers on the EP include Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons,” Lester Flatt’s “Sleep With One Eye Open” and The Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post” (!).

LUCINDA WILLIAMS & MERCURY REV/Ode To Billie Joe
Writer: Bobbie Gentry; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Partison/Bella Union
– The neo-psychedelic pop band Mercury Rev has issued a Bobbie Gentry homage CD with a several female guest vocalists, including Norah Jones, Margo Price and Hope Sandoval. The group’s re-imagining of Gentry’s The Delta Sweete 1968 LP concludes with Lucinda’s soulful, dark, echoey, deep-Dixie rendition of the singer-songwriter’s best-known song (which wasn’t on that particular album). I don’t care how many times you’ve heard the song, you’ll hang on every line of this performance.

RICHARD DOBSON/I Hear Singing
Writer: Richard Dobson; Producers: David Bollinger/Peter Uehlinger; Publisher: none listed; Brambus (track)
– This gifted singer-songwriter passed away in December 2017. He’d recorded most of his final album, and producers Bollinger and Uehlinger have now finished the tracks in his honor. Dobson was from the Texas fraternity that also included Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Susanna Clark, Nanci Griffith and Rodney Crowell. Like the others, he migrated to Nashville, but he ended his days as an expat in Switzerland, the site of this posthumous recording. The collection’s title song is a stirring anthem that rejoices in nature, agriculture and freedom. I believe he left us in a blaze of glory, for he has never sounded better.

TOMMY EMMANUEL & JOHN KNOWLES/Cold Cold Heart
Writer: Hank Williams; Producers: Tommy Emmanuel/John Knowles; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Acuff Rose, BMI
– Nashville’s Knowles and Australia’s Emmanuel are two of the finest acoustic guitarists on the planet. Their awesome collaboration CD lifts off with this eloquent audio tapestry that plucks at the heartstrings without uttering a single word. Elsewhere on the collection, the duo interprets Don Gibson, Leonard Bernstein, Michael McDonald, Billy Joel and even The Bee Gees. The record is titled Heart Songs. It is divine.

GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS/When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings
Writers: Welch/Rawlings; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Acony
– The song earned them an Oscar nomination after Tim Blake Nelson and Willie Watson sang it in the Coen Brothers flick The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. David and Gillian performed it on the Academy Awards telecast, and their version of the tune is also available online. In the movie, the song’s tone was darkly humorous, but this version’s wistful reverie is so much better. Right now, it’s only a single. These two are way, way overdue for an album release.

YOLA/Faraway Look
Writers: Yola/Dan Auerbach/Pat McLaughlin; Producers: Dan Auerbach; Publishers: Downtown/Profit Daniel/Corn Country, BMI
– Don’t let the Black Keys imprint mislead you — this is airy, classy, evocative pop. Her voice is liquid silver, and the production is shimmering gloss. Her phrasing and control are truly impressive. The Nashville-recorded CD is titled Walk Through Fire, and on it you’ll find strings, as well as twang guitar, steel as well as Mellotron. Americana programmers are directed to the r&b title tune.

KRISTINA MURRAY/Strong Blood
Writer: Kristina Murray; Producer: Michael Rinne; Publisher: Scoot’s Blues, BMI; Loud Magnolia
– I dig her. This Nashvillian draws upon classic country, folk and acoustic pop to create a drawling, magical mood here. Gorgeous, lilting instrumentation wafts around her gentle Southern drawl. The album is titled Southern Ambrosia, and it is.

TONY LUCCA/Everything’s Changing
Writer: Tony Lucca; Producer: Ken Coomer; Publisher: Off the Record, ASCAP
– This guy has turned a few corners in his career, from being on The Mickey Mouse Club (with Justin and Christina) to competing on The Voice. But he’s found his true niche as a Nashville singer-songwriter. The troubadour displays a hearty vocal ability and a hooky compositional style on this lead track from his new CD Ain’t No Storm. Fans of Jackson Browne or Tom Petty might feel at home here. I know I do.

DISClaimer: Jordan Davis Sings It Loud And Clear

/by

All stars, no waiting.

With Blake, Strait, Kane, Luke and Thomas Rhett all in the mix, today’s column is loaded with headliners. So loaded, in fact, that there was no room for any newcomers. Hence, no DisCovery Award.

And as it happens, the Disc of the Day doesn’t belong to any of the superstars. It goes to up-and-comer Jordan Davis. Sing, bro. I hear you loud and clear.

INGRID ANDRESS/More Hearts Than Mine
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis/Derrick Southerland; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic
– This woman has talent in spades. The single remains “Lady Like,” but check out this dynamic ballad for an extra special treat.

KANE BROWN & BECKY G/Lost In The Middle Of Nowhere
Writers: Kane Brown/Lauren Alaina Suddeth/Jon Nite/Jesse Frasure; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Universal/Warner-Chappell/Sony-ATV/Downtown, no performance rights listed; RCA
– Bopping and infectious. In fact, the bounce and the groove are so catchy, you don’t even notice that there’s not much of either a lyric or a melody. There’s a Spanish-language mix, too.

MIDLAND/Mr. Lonely
Writers: Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson, Cameron Duddy, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne; Producer: Shane McAnally, Osborne and Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– A cool, retro-country, uptempo shuffle, complete with twang, vocal harmonies and plenty of steel. Enthusiastically recommended.

GEORGE STRAIT/God and Country Music
Writers:Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Lori McKenna; Producers: George Strait/Chuck Ainlay; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
-Just one thing: God doesn’t need “saving.” God is omnipotent, that’s kind of the whole point. However, this is a very pretty country ballad.

JORDAN DAVIS/Slow Dance In A Parking Lot
Writers: Davis/Lonnie Lee Fowler; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Publishers: ole Red Cape/Jordan Davis/Amylase Songs N Such/Matching Cowlicks/WB, ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– The combination here is a dense, echoey, pop production with his extraordinary vocal warmth and an ultra romantic lyric. Dreamy is the result.

THOMAS RHETT/That Old Truck
Writers: Rhett Akins/Julian C. Bunetta/Ryan B. Tedder; Producer: none listed; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Write Me a Song, no performance rights listed; Valory
– This is a country-music smash if I’ve ever heard one. It has a summer-nostalgia vibe that is super listenable and undeniably addictive.

RUSTON KELLY/All Too Well
Writers: Taylor Swift/Liz Rose; Producer: Ruston Kelly/Jarrad K; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
-Hushed and swirly and atmospheric. Lost in the reverie of a faded romance. Utterly lovely. You need to listen to this artist. Now.

BLAKE SHELTON/God’s Country
Writers: Michael Hardy/Jordan Schmidt/Devin Dawson; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: Relative Music Group (BMI), Administered by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing (BMI) / WB Music Corp. / Georgia Song Vibez / We-volve Music (ASCAP) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. / Neon Cross Music (BMI); Warner Bros.
– Dark and passionate, with a Bocephus outlaw vibe. A salute to the hard-working everyday folks of Middle America. A terrific change of pace for this superstar.

SCOTTY McCREERY/In Between
Writers: McCreery/Jessi Alexander/Jonathan Singleton; Producers: Frank Rogers/Aaron Eshuis/Derek Wells; Publishers: none listed; Triple Tigers
– Very well written. As usual, he sings with aplomb. The toe-tapping rhythm is perfect for a springtime playlist.

LUKE BRYAN/Knockin’ Boots
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Gordie Sampson/Jon Nite; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– It is doubtless timed to become a summer radio fave and intends to beckon you to a weekend good time. Thanks, but I believe I’ll sit this one out.

DISClaimer: Hailey Whitters’ “Ten Year Town” Offers Eloquence And Truth

/by

Hailey Whitters

In a genre infamous for its treatment of female artists, country music’s women command center stage today in DISClaimer.

The top tempo tune belongs to that Irish lass, Mags. A quartet of distaff singer-songwriters pinned my ears back during the listening session. Among them, you’ll find our award winners.

The gifted four are Jenny Tolman, Lauren Jenkins, Rachel Wammack and Hailey Whitters. The DisCovery Award goes to Lauren Jenkins. And give a long overdue Disc of the Day honor to Hailey Whitters.

These are all women you need to get to know. NOW.

LAUREN JENKINS/Running Out Of Road
Writers: Lauren Jenkins/Ingrid Andress/Jessie Jo Dillon/Tina Parol; Producers: Julian Raymond/Lauren Jenkins; Publishers: Super Big/Elle Jae/Big Machine/Songs of Universal/Straight From the Art/New Writers of Sea Gayle/Clear Box Rights/Revelry/Jay Gatsby/Kobalt/Sony-ATV/Songs of Blue Bandana/Twentyfourtina, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (track)
– Languidly pleasing. The tempo drags somewhat, but that allows for clarity in her husky delivery of the lyric. The ringing, extended guitar solo at the fade is ultra cool (thank you, Tom Bukovac). Extremely promising.

AMERICAN YOUNG/Gonna Be You
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Lovely. Their voices are like twin pearls in an oyster shell. The production surrounding them is a velvet jewel case. The aching-for-love lyric is poignant and sweet. I’m in.

BRAD PAISLEY/My Miracle
Writers: Brad Paisley/Gary Nicholson; Producers: Dann Huff/Luke Wooten; Arista
– Groove soaked, yet heartfelt. It’s an unabashed love song to his wife with finely polished lyrics. He had me from the opening lines, “This is the gospel, according to me/A tale of whiskey turned to wine.” The icing on the cake is his guitar work.

CORINNE COOK/One Box of Tissues
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CCM
– It’s such a cool title. But the stumbling, oafish, lead-footed production does her no favors. And she has sharp, pitchy vocal problems of her own.

HAILEY WHITTERS/Ten Year Town
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Brandy Clark; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; HW
– Eloquence and truth in every perfectly crafted line. If there’s a better song about being an aspiring country female artist, I’ve never heard it. It’s obviously her own story, which makes her dry, ironic delivery all the more touching. The great Brandy Clark is here as her cowriter, but Hailey’s recording deserves its own shining spotlight and a standing ovation. You must hear this. As for me, I absolutely cannot wait for her next album. It’s going to be awesome.

RACHEL WAMMACK/Enough
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Laura Veltz/Sam Ellis; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– She’s so talented. Her ballad “Damage” was a masterpiece. This upbeat follow-up finds her vocally taking wing in a churning, echoey, dense, electronic bed of sonic splendor. I remain a major fan.

CALE DODDS/I Like Where This Is Going
Writers: Cale Dodds/busbee/Nicolle Galyon; Producer: none listed: Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– Young romance set to music. Warm sounding, with plenty of verve and enthusiasm. You can practically hear him smiling.

JENNY TOLMAN/Welcome Mat
Writers: none listed; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publishers: none listed; JT
– This woman is a major talent. Her new ballad is effortlessly country, yet with a contemporary, conversational lyric about acceptance and inclusiveness. In these divisive times, she is a voice of gentility, grace and peace. Play this.

MAGS/Run
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: noen listed; Emerald Field
– She’s rocking out, cautioning her heart to get outta Dodge fast, before it falls too hard for a charming ex. This got my heart pumping and my feet tapping from the opening downbeat.

COLT FORD/How To Lose A Woman
Writers: Noah Gordon/Lance Miller/Wade Kirby; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Average Joes
– His finest effort to date. The cautionary, instructional lyric is loaded with truth. The melody is delicious. His delivery sounds like your buddy on the next barstool telling you things you need to hear. A star-making performance.

DISClaimer: Tucker Beathard, The Vegabonds Issue Career-Making Music

/by

It’s an alpha-and-omega kinda day here at DisClaimer.

We have everything from bona fide Country Music Hall of Fame members to the newest of baby acts. Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire are here to remind us of what great country music sounds like. Maddie & Tae, Tenille Townes and Sam Grow are on board with strong bids for future stardom.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Tucker Beathard. It sounds like a career breakthrough to me.

Our DisCovery Award winners are The Vegabonds. I see that this is not their first record, so where has this awesome band been all my life? And will somebody please pick these guys up for a major-label shot?

SAM GROW/History
Writers: Cam Montgomery/Mike Hardy/Nick Donley; Producer: Jacob Rice; Publishers:MV2 Music (BMI), Harding Road Music/Watsky Music (admin. by Kobalt) (BMI), Big Loud Mountain, CamTrack Music, Cam I Am Music (BMI); Average Joe’s
– Very involving. He has a wonderfully strong, expressive delivery. The production soars in all the right places. The song about a troubled relationship has hooks a-plenty.

MADDIE & TAE/Tourist In This Town
Writers: Maddie Marlow/Taylor Dye/Barry Dean/Jimmy Robbins; Producers: Jimmy Robbins/Derek Wells; Publishers: Super Big Music/Seven Red Birds Publishing/Big Machine Music/Jehovah Nissi/Be Barry Quiet/Creative Pulse Music/Pulse Nation; Round Hill Songs Jimmy Robbins/Extraordinary Alien/Jammy Rabbins Music; Mercury Nashville
– Yowza. This has spunk, vocal verve and tempo, tempo, tempo to chase away those winter doldrums.

Youtube video

DAVE ERNST/Superstar
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Eastwood
– This Louisville alt-country fellow has a new CD titled Hickory Switch. This track finds him emoting over a garage-y rock backing track featuring organ, guitar and crashing percussion. He doesn’t have the pipes for mainstream country appeal, but brims with conviction.

STELLA PARTON/Dirty Rotten Dog
Writers: Stella Parton; Producer: Stella Parton; Publisher: none listed; SP
– The track could use a little bass. But the humorous, sarcastic ditty is catchy, her slide-guitar work is dandy and her stacked vocals in the fade are an audio delight. Worth some spins.

THE VEGABONDS/Best I Can
Writers: none listed; Producer: Tom Tapley; Publisher: none
-Love it, love it, love it. This has all the pulse-quickening snap, crackle and pop you could want of a country rocker. The band has the heat cranked up to “10,” and the blue-collar, working-musician lyric blazes like an bonfire. I turned it up and howled. Here’s to all the “poor boys doin’ the best they can.”

Youtube video

 

TENILLE TOWNES/White Horse
Writers: Tenille Townes/Daniel Tashian/Jeremy Spillman; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: noen listed; Columbia
– I dig this artist. Her feisty voice sounds like no one else. This hand clapper has slammin’ beats, a chorus with big hooks and a layered track, as well as her personality-packed vocal performance.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Better Than Me
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Dan Isbell/Jonathan Singleton; Producer: Tucker Beathard; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– His best yet. Tucker is singing his face off here, especially on that airborne chorus. The track rolls with admirable forward momentum as he sings of a breakup where she’s doing better than he is. Played it twice, and can’t wait to hear it on the radio. By the way, that’s him on lead guitar and drums, as well as vocals.

Youtube video

 

REBA McENTIRE/Stronger Than The Truth
Writers: Hannah Louise Blaylock/Autumn McEntire; Producers: Buddy Cannon/Reba McEntire; Publishers:Big Deal Beats / Fouche River Publishing (BMI)/ Catch This Music / Autumn McEntire Songs (ASCAP); Big Machine
– Praise be, there’s still an artist in this format who believes in telling a story, feeling some pain and cherishing real song craftsmanship. This Hall of Famer proves she remains way out in front of the youngsters when it comes to taking a heartbreak lyric straight into your heart. Great song. Great performance.

THE HIGH PLAINS DRIFTERS/Virginia
Writers: none listed; Producers: Greg Cohen/Charles Czarnecki; Publishers: none listed; HPD
– The song is okay, in a simplistic-melody kinda way. The lounge-y lead vocal is way too pop for me.

RONNIE MILSAP & DOLLY PARTON/Smoky Mountain Rain
Writers: Kye Fleming/Dennis Morgan; Producers: Ronnie Milsap/Rob Galbraith; Publishers: none listed; G-Force
– They sound great together. Dolly rewrote the lyric to make the song come from the points of view of two lovers, instead of one lovelorn man. The beautifully melodic tune remains a timeless country treasure. A terrific listening experience.