DISClaimer: Karen Waldrup, Lori McKenna Lead A Banquet Of Ballads

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Karen Waldrup

It’s a banquet of ballads today at DisClaimer.

Rita Wilson, Brett Young, Josh Gracin and Blue Honey are checking in with slow songs. That’s okay, because it’s also a ballad that wins the Disc of the Day. That would be super country vocalist Karen Waldrup delivering an awesome Lori McKenna song.

The DisCovery Award goes to a charming, up-and-coming Music City singer-songwriter with the one-named billing Hardy.

BLUE HONEY/Can You See Me
Writers: Kassie Jordan-Brooks/Troy Brooks/Rob Klerkx; Producers: Kassie Jordan-Brooks/Troy Brooks; Publisher: none listed; BH
– It has an echoey, spooky atmosphere. Kassie’s lead vocal has a hushed intimacy. Decidedly left field, but undeniably intriguing. I look forward to more from this team.

BRETT YOUNG/Catch
Writers: Brett Young/Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Big Machine/Songs of Black River/Wordspring/Memory Days/WBM/The Best I Could Do/WB, ASCAP/SESAC; Big Machine (track)
– This new track from Brett has an acoustic tracked, video version. The lyric terrain is familiar territory for this artist — dreamy and romantic and lost-in-love.

JIMMY CHARLES/I Am Not Alone
Writers: Jimmy Charles/C.J. Garton/Rich Fehl; Producer: Paul David; Publishers: Hook, Line and Singer, BMI; JC (track)
– This former American Idol contestant has issued this thumping rouser that tells the stories of folks impacted by cancer. Its inspirational vibe encourages us to remain strong and hopeful in the face of such a diagnosis.

JOSH GRACIN/Good For You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed: Publisher: none listed; Sixteen 08 (track)
– This romantic ballad has a blue-eyed soul vocal performance that’s quite attractive. The drawbacks are a tempo that plods and its four-minute length.

RITA WILSON/Bigger Picture
Writers: none listed; Producer: Fred Mollin; Publisher: none listed; Sing It Loud/The Orchard
– The title tune of Wilson’s album is a gently strummed acoustic ballad. She has a sweet, lilting pop soprano voice that’s recorded crisply and clearly. The actor/singer/songwriter and hubby Tom Hanks recently attended the annual BMI awards banquet in Music City. Plus, she was a presenter on the CMA Awards, and she she staged her debut on the Opry.

KAREN WALDRUP/Sometimes He Does
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; KW (download)
– This gal is a Real Deal country singer. The stunning ballad is loaded with terrific visual details and emotional truths. A minor masterpiece. Listen and believe.

Youtube video

TUCKER BEATHARD/Leave Me Alone
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TB (download)
– Intensely painful heartache, with a touch of rage. His anguished vocal is gripping, and the track pounds with repressed fury on the choruses. Highly recommended.

WALKER MONTGOMERY/Just Say When
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; WM (download)
-This Kentucky boy is “to the manner born,” as they say. He’s the son of John Michael Montgomery and the nephew of Eddie Montgomery. His country-boy vocal on this churning, lovelorn tune is right on the money. The gist of it is, he’s right here waiting when she finally comes back. Exactly in contemporary country music’s center lane.

HARDY/This Ole Boy
Writers: Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Publsher: none listed; Big Loud/Tree Vibez Music
– Hardy has cowritten hits for Morgan Wallen (”Up Down”) and FGL (”Simple”), the latter of whom collaborate with him on this catchy, cute and country rompin’ stomper. Its rock-ish tone can’t disguise the cleverness in his phrases. Lively, drawling and endearing.

DYLAN SCOTT/Nothing To Do Town
Writers: Dylan Scott/John Taylor/Matt Alderman; Producers: Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs & Jim Ed Norman; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– The track is punchy and groovy. His vocal is just fine. But haven’t we completely worn out this song idea? Drinking in a field with your gals and guys on the weekend while celebrating your small-town, country ways? Really? Again?

DISClaimer: Robbie Fulks, Linda Gail Lewis, Adam Hood Top Americana Tracks

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We are way overdue for an Americana overview.

Today’s listening stack includes a number of favorites in this genre — John Prine, Lori McKenna, Dana Cooper, Will Hoge. The Disc of the Day belongs to a pair of other longtime faves, Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis.

From our handful of newcomers (Granville Automatic, Love Canon, Tyler Childers, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band) emerges our DisCovery Award winner, singer-songwriter Adam Hood.

ROBBIE FULKS AND LINDA GAIL LEWIS/Wild Wild Wild
Writers: R. Fulks; Producer: Fulks; Publisher: Lorne Rail, ASCAP; Bloodshot (track)
– As she has proved so often, Linda Gail is a first-class piano-pounding rocker in league with big brother Jerry Lee. For a demonstration, check out the album opener, “Round Too Long,” the romping “Boogie Woogie Country Gal” or this this blazing title tune. And if you miss George and Tammy as much as I do, let this pair remind you of what a barroom lament is supposed to sound like (”That’s Why They Call It Temptation,” “I Just Lived a Country Song”). Robbie cares about Real Country Music, and it shows in every groove of this delightful disc.

TYLER CHILDERS/Feathered Indians
Writers: Tyler Childers; Producers: Sturgill Simpson/David Ferguson; Publishers: none listed; Hickman Holler/Thirty Tigers
– When he was named Americana’s Emerging Artist award winner, Childers insisted that he’s a country artist. He’s right. Not only that, he’s the freshest sounding young male singer-songwriter working in country music today. The album is called Purgatory. It is essential.

LORI McKENNA/People Get Old
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Creative Nation; CN/Thirty Tigers
– I am so in love with this woman’s music. Her current The Tree LP contains her own version of “Happy People” (popularized by LBT). And there are plenty of other tunes just as captivating, including this striking meditation on aging. Her conversational, just-folks vocal delivery draws you in, and her extraordinary lyrics take your breath away.

GRANVILLE AUTOMATIC/Radio Hymns
Writers: Elizabeth Elkins/Vanessa Olivarez/Matraca Berg; Producers: Elizabeth Elkins & Vanessa Olivarez; Publishers: BMG Platinum/Songs of Adams and Strahl and Granbury/Songs of the Ribbon/Jeff’s Wife/Songs of Sally Sue’s Medicine Show, BMI; GA (track)
– This female duo has an ear-opening concept album. Its various songs tell tales of Nashville’s history, ranging from a Music Row hanging (”Black Avenue Gallows”) to a millionairess taking a body home (”Adelicia”), from Jimi Hendrix (”Marbles”) to Timothy Demonbreun (”Summer Street”). The echoey, atmospheric title tune relates the near-demise of The Ryman Auditorium. Throughout, their production skills are as impressive as their performances. Guests include Jim Lauderdale, Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) and Ben Fields.

DANA COOPER/Making A Killing
Writer: Dana Cooper; Producers: Thomm Jutz and Dana Cooper; Publishers: Dog Eared/Bluewater, SESAC; travianna (track)
– Dana has a new video from his Incendiary Kid CD. It’s this bluesy lament about how tough it can be to simply make a living. The protagonist is jobless, loveless and hopeless. He’s also in a terrifically relentless groove. Active since the 1970s, this singer-songwriter is a perennially impressive folk talent. If you don’t know his music, you should. “Dance Toward the Light,” “Flat Made Round,” “My America,” “Maybe Tomorrow” and the rest collected here will make a believer out of you.

WILL HOGE/Gilded Walls
Writer: Will Hoge; Producer: Will Hoge; Publisher: Julia’s Husband, BMI; Edio/Thirty Tigers
– I love it that Will can be both commercially successful (”Strong,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”) and politically outspoken. This wailing blues rocker is a thinly veiled attack on Donald Trump. To wit: “I work two jobs to raise a family/While you’re living on everything your daddy left behind” and, “Another group of kids in high school dead/But you’re still at your golf course teeing off at nine” and, “You sit around spouting more bullshit online.” His blue-collar singing voice and ace rock band accompanists add urgency to every lyric. The album is pointedly titled My American Dream.

ADAM HOOD/Downturn
Writers: Adam Hood/Jason Eady; Producer: Oran Thornton; Publishers: none listed; Southern Songs
-He’s an Alabama troubadour who sings of good people facing hard times. His warm drawl on this mid-tempo lament is supported by an exquisite production of gently twanged guitars. The album is titled Somewhere In Between, and it is a stunner. Hood’s songs have been recorded by Miranda Lambert, Anderson East, Little Big Town, Brent Cobb and Lee Ann Womack. Based on what I hear here, the whole town should be lining up to grab his works.

LOVE CANON/Kyrie Eielson
Writers: Steven Park/John R. Lang/Richard J. Page; Producer: Love Canon; Publishers: Ali-Aja/Indolent Sloth/Panola Park/WB, ASCAP; Organic (track)
– The concept behind this quintet’s Cover Story CD is doing acoustic/bluegrassy treatments of rock staples such as “Graceland,” “Islands in the Stream,” “Tempted” and the like. This Electric Prunes cover is a good example of how accomplished the band is at this. The writer credits, however, are incorrect. This song was written by David Axelrod.

JOHN PRINE/Summer’s End
Writers: John Prine/Pat McLaughlin; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Tommy Jack/Corn Country, BMI; Oh Boy
– Prine’s The Tree of Forgiveness CD has been featured in every music mag in existence since its release last spring. He has issued a string of singles/videos from it (”Knockin’ on Your Screen Door,” “Crazy Bone,” etc.), of which this is the most recent. It’s a laconic, loping sideways look at Southern quirks and goofy apocalyptic notions. Underlying it all is a poignant invitation to the comfort of home. The album is Prine’s first collection of new original tunes since 2005. And that, alone, calls for a celebration.

REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND/Poor Until Payday
Writers: Reverend Peyton; Producer: Reverend Peyton; Publishers: 26F/Family Owned, SESAC; Family Owned/Thirty Tigers
– He’s a hoarse screamer and a slide-guitar demon. The rest of the band consists of drummer Maxwell Senteney and Washboard Breezy Peyton. As his wife’s name indicates, she plays the washboard. She also reportedly sets it on fire a la Hendrix. His YouTube videos feature him playing guitars made out of a shotgun and an axe. I am not making this stuff up. The title tune of the CD is monotonously repetitive blues-rock. I think that’s wholly intentional. It goes along with the whole minimalist aesthetic that’s going on here.

DISClaimer: Charlie Daniels, Beau Weevils Top New Tracks

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Heritage artists made up half of this listening session, and they provided many of its highlights.

Three Country Music Hall of Fame members are here — Bill Anderson, Garth Brooks and our Disc of the Day winner, Charlie Daniels. Also contributing to the tally are Joe Diffie and Gary Morris.

Gary and Garth are both crooning ballads with solo-guitar accompaniment. Add Toby Keith, Whispering Bill and Kacey Musgraves to the mix, and you’ll see that slow songs were the order of the day. Despite the peppy efforts of Kelsea Ballerini and Brad Paisley.

The DisCovery Award goes to Tim Williams. It turns out that when he’s not a TV spokesperson, he’s a marvelously traditional country singer.

KELSEA BALLERINI/Miss Me More
Writers: Brett McLaughlin/Kelsea Ballerini/David Hall Hodges; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Kobalt/Sony-ATV/Audiam, no performance rights listed; Black River
– This is a feisty pop-rocker with a groovy, empowerment lyric. The relentless rhythm drives home the message of female independence, and the little echoey-electro vocal “comments” are way cool. I’m in.

GARY MORRIS/Sense Of Pride
Writers: none listed; Producers: Gary Morris/Michael Bonagura; Publisher: none listed; Spirit (track)
– The title tune of Gary’s new CD is the tale of a WWII military veteran whose medal for valor lies in a seldom-opened drawer. The old soldier keeps his feelings locked inside himself. But a note he leaves behind speaks volumes. This is a solo-guitar ballad, but it’s just as potent as any full-bodied production.

BRAD PAISLEY/Bucked Off
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Arista;
– The grinding twang of the main guitar riff is worth the price of admission, alone. The rollicking spirit and personable vocal are first-rate. Toss in a few shout-outs to George Strait and his tunes, and you have a blue-ribbon winner.

JOE DIFFIE/Quit You
Writers: Danny Bell/Jeffrey East/Andy Autsier; Producer: Phil O’Donnell; Publishers: none listed; Silverado
– This ballad is backed by echoed hand claps, throbbing bass and rifled drumbeats. Diffie’s passionate delivery of the addictive-love lyric is electrifying. He’s still a mighty, country-music hoss.

TOBY KEITH/I’ll Still Call You Baby
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Show Dog
– In case you’ve forgotten, Toby is one of the finest country singers of modern times. This power ballad gives him plenty of expressive room. Sing on, brother.

TIM WILLIAMS/Magnolia City
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Wewax
– Tim is that handsome, silver-haired guy who’s the spokesman for Trivago on TV. His debut country CD kicks off with this solid, steel-soaked honky-tonker. He’s a teensy bit pitch-y in spots, but he definitely gets the job done. Play him.

BEAU WEEVILS/Bad Blood
Writers: Charlie Daniels/Chuck Jones; Producers: James Stroud/Casey Wood; Publishers: Miss Hazel/Songs of Universal/Music of Stage Three/Warner-Tamerlane/Mike Curb, BMI; Blue Hat (track)
– The band is a new foursome comprised of Charlie Daniels, drummer James Stroud, Allman slide guitarist Billy Crain and Charlie’s longtime bass player Charlie Hayward. This sidewinding, swampy blues rocker is just one standout on a CD that’s full of audio delights. A revelatory reinvention of a living legend. The collection is called Songs in the Key of E, and you need it in your life.

KACEY MUSGRAVES/Slow Burn
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Ian Fitchuk/Musgraves; Producers: Fitchuk/Tashian/Musgraves; Publishers: none listed; MCA (track)
– I still say that Golden Hour is a very pretty pop record. But now that it’s the 2018 CMA Album of the Year, celebrate the languid, ethereal beauty of its lead-off track. Kacey’s wafting vocal glows with Texas charm. I bought the turntable version, which is pressed on clear vinyl.

BILL ANDERSON & JAMEY JOHNSON/Everybody Wants To Be Twenty-One
Writers: Johnson/Anderson; Producers: Anderson/Thomm Jutz/Peter Cooper; Publishers: none listed; TWI (track)
– Anderson is this Country Music Hall of Famer’s 72nd album. At age 81, he can still cast a spell with his astonishing storytelling skills. Jamey trades verses and harmonizes with him on this contemplative ballad. It muses on the facts that youngsters wish to be older, and seniors wish to be younger. It’s easily the best written song of this listening session.

GARTH BROOKS/Stronger Than Me
Writers: Matt Rossi/Bobby Terry; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Bedroll Music/Tom and Terry Music; ASCAP; Pearl Records
– This tender ballad was a heart-tugger as a solo performance on the CMA telecast. Best lines: She lifts the weight of this whole world off my shoulder/With nothing but the touch of her hand. And the finale: I pray God takes me first/‘Cause you’re stronger than me.

DISClaimer: Blake Shelton Tops New Tracks With “Tequila Sheila” Remake

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This is evidently a week for song craftsmanship.

There are a number of releases here that go way beyond wallpaper music. Joy Williams’ “Canary,” Tim McGraw’s “Gravity,” Devin Dawson’s “Dark Horse” and Ty Herndon’s revival of “Walking in Memphis” are all songs that command respect.

Topping them all is Blake Shelton, reminding us how many clever rhymes there are for the word “Sheila,” thanks to Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Shel Silverstein and Mac Davis. This audio tickler is our Disc of the Day.

Blake is closely trailed by labelmates Dawson and Cale Dodds, the latter of whom brings a bucket load of happy in his bopping tune.

JOY WILLIAMS/Canary
Writers: Joy Williams/Caitlyn Smith/Angelo Petraglia; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Eleven Eleven, no performance rights listed; JW
– Formerly a CCM artist and half of the acclaimed Americana duo The Civil Wars, Williams has a haunting new track. Over rippling guitars, she soars into her upper soprano while delivering a lyric of singing strongly, even when you’re shadowed with the cold chill of being the canary in the mine.

CARLY PEARCE/Closer To You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
-Sweetly romantic. Sunny and bright.

CHUCK WICKS/Better Than Flowers
Writers: Chuck Wicks/Jeffrey East/Michael Lotten; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CW
– Sexy pop country. He’s promising love for hours and something that’s more than an overnight fling while guitars ring in an echo chamber.

BLAKE SHELTON/Tequila Sheila
Writers: Shel Silverstein/Mac Davis; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BS
– We all hail the greatness that is Bobby Bare. Penultimate country vocalist Blake Shelton has the ideal pipes to show his love on this toe-tapping remake of Bare’s rowdy 1980 classic. A delightful song, delightfully delivered. Love the Latin guitar licks, too.

Youtube video

 

TY HERNDON/Walking In Memphis
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; TH
– The Marc Cohn pop classic from 1991 gets a revved-up, dance-floor remake. Ty’s still a country singer, and his vocal is mixed front and center. Although the track is rhythm happy, it’s not so electronic that you couldn’t spin it alongside most other pop-country outings. Catchy, to say the least.

TIM MCGRAW/Gravity
Writers: McGraw/Lori McKenna; Producers: McGraw/Byron Gallimore; Publisher: none listed; Columbia/Tim McGraw
– Created for the soundtrack of the film Free Solo, this ballad is an uplifting orchestral ode to perseverance and belief. Luxuriously produced. I remain an enormous fan, all these years later.

CALE DODDS/Where I Get It From
Writers: Cale Dodds/Sarah Buxton/Corey Crowder/Jared Mullins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– A down-home, Southern frolic with a stuttering beat and rapid-fire lyrics. Fun with a capital “F.” This fellow has charm to spare.

COLE SWINDELL/Love You Too Late
Writers: Brandon Lynn Kinney/Michael Carter/Cole Swindell; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Peermusic/Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; Warner Bros.
– She’s out having a blast while he’s wallowing in misery. Nevertheless, the track rocks ridiculously.

Youtube video

 

DEVIN DAWSON/Dark Horse
Writers: Dawson/Andy Albert/Andrew DeRoberts; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic
– A song for outsiders everywhere. The echoey atmosphere and his affecting voice are both superb vehicles for the message of alienation. Poignant and potent. Give this your undivided attention.

DOLLY PARTON/Girl In The Movies
Writers: Dolly Parton/Linda Perry; Producer: Perry; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– This is from the soundtrack to the forthcoming film Dumplin.’ It’s a wistful, soft ballad about dreaming big, shiny dreams. The woman is an American Treasure. She’s been nominated for a best-song Oscar twice before (for “9 To 5” and “Travelin’ Through”). Could the third time be the charm?

DISClaimer: Walker McGuire, Mitchell Tenpenny, William Michael Morgan Are Three Stars On The Rise

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Walker McGuire, MItchell Tenpenny, William Michael Morgan

This week’s country edition of DisClaimer belongs to the up-and-comers.

Our three top tunes in this stack of platters belong to three stars on the rise. They are Walker McGuire, Mitchell Tenpenny and William Michael Morgan. They finish in a trio photo finish to share the Disc of the Day award.

MATT ROGERS/Peaches and Pecans
Writers: Matt Rogers/Justin Dukes; Producer: Matt Rogers; Publishers: Richest Place on Earth, No performance rights listed; MR
– An ode to Georgia. “If you ain’t from here, then you don’t understand.” You’re so right. I don’t.

BRETT YOUNG/Ticket To L.A.
Writers: Brett Young/Zach Crowell/Jon Nite; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BMLG (download)
– The title tune to Brett’s forthcoming album is a zippy, trippy fantasy about an airport pick-up. The irresistible rhythm track disguises the totally unrealistic lyric.

BRANDON RATCLIFF/Rules of Breaking Up
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good/A.J. Babcock/busbee; Producers: Shane McAnally/Pete Good; Monument
-His voice is spindly and thin. Which I guess really doesn’t matter, since there’s no melody in his composition to sing.

JUSTIN MOORE/The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home
Writers: Justin Moore/Jeremy Stover/Paul DiGiovanni/Chase McGill; Producers: Scott Borchetta/Jeremy Stover; Valory
– Veterans’ Day is Sunday, Nov. 11. Here’s a super stirring eulogy for the armed forces who won’t be with us.

ERIN ENDERLIN/These Boots
Writers: Erin Enderlin/Scott Stepakoff; Producer: Alex Kline; Publisher: none listed; 117 Entertainment
-She’s a for-real country singer and writer. A good one, too. This is why I love her. You should, too.

WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Brokenhearted
Writers: Rhett Akins/J.T. Harding/Marv Green; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– This is a real cool honky tonker. Two-step across the dancefloor as he sings about the lack of heartache in today’s party-hearty country sound.

PISTOL ANNIES/Got My Name Changed Back
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Ashley Monroe/Angaleena Presley; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Eric Masse; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/Mountain Girl, BMI/ASCAP; RCA (track)
– Get up off your fanny and dance around the room. The dizzy, lickety-split tempo of this — and its hot picking — are matched by its funny, feisty lyric. Check out its cute video on YouTube.

MITCHELL TENPENNY/Walk Like Him
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Justin Ebach/Steven Dale Jones; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Riser
– This confirms his rising star. His hushed, soulful voice draws you in magnetically. The song about carrying on his departed father’s legacy is profoundly touching. Listen and believe.

STEPHANIE URBINA JONES/Jolene
Writers: Dolly Parton; Producer: Patterson Barrett; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Soundly/Casa Del Rio (track)
– Genius. Marrying country songs to Latin rhythms and Mariachi horns is an idea that should have been hatched years ago. She makes this classic sound like a torrid Mexican telenovella. Elsewhere on her Tularosa CD you’ll find equally ear-opening new arrangements of “Walking After Midnight,” “Seven Spanish Angels,” “Cold Cold Heart,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “Tiger By the Tail” and more. Both “Jolene” and “Ring of Fire” have bonus, Spanish-language tracks.

WALKER McGUIRE/Growin’ Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Richly rewarding. The layered harmonies, dense production and driving energy punch home the nostalgic, wistful lyric about the passage of time. Nicely done, boys.

DISClaimer: Willie Nelson, Delta Rae, Billy Ray Cyrus Edge Political On New Tracks

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This week’s stack of country tunes features a trio of political statements.

Willie Nelson is campaigning against Ted Cruz. Delta Rae is speaking out about sexual harassment. Billy Ray Cyrus is standing up for democratic principles.

Three others are in a more romantic mood. Florida Georgia Line barely edges out Michael Tyler in that arena to claim this week’s Disc of the Day honor. Noe Palma is also staking a claim in this vein.

The DisCovery Award goes to Rachel Reinert. Evidently, things didn’t go so well when she left Gloriana for a solo career. But her music about that experience is splendid.

CYPRESS SPRING/White Trash
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Average Joes
– Hick hop. This particular banger has a roaring electric-guitar track. As you might guess from the title, the rap is about being blue-collar proud. Not my cup of tea, but this whole label seems to be succeeding with an entire roster made up of this type of act. Whatever….

DELTA RAE/Hands Dirty
Writers: Brittany Holljes/Ian Holljes; Producer: none listed; Publshers: none listed; Big Machine
– Strong and tough. This rockin’ stomper is country’s first single that directly addresses the #MeToo movement. The message is righteous, and the delivery is fierce. It’s empowering, and it is also as catchy as all get out.

WILD FEATHERS/No Man’s Land
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– The group’s new album is Greetings From the New Frontier. This is my favorite band working in country music today, so naturally I’m all ears when it issues anything new. This is an acoustic track recorded live at the Ryman that spotlights the ensemble’s stirring vocal harmonies and spot-on guitar chops. The get-back-to-basics lyric is as timeless as country music, itself.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Talk You Out Of It
Writers: Hardy/Hunter Phelps/Jameson Rogers/Alysa Vanderheym; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine
– It’s a very sexy, r&b slow jam that should sound just dandy on yer playlist or on your radio station. You see, he loves that dress she’s got on, now he just wants to talk her out of it.

RACHEL REINERT/Dark Star
Writers: Rachel Reinert/K.S. Rhoads/Joe Pisapia; Producer: Davis Naish; Publisher: none listed; RR
-Rachel left Gloriana and embarked on a solo adventure. She found out that it’s a cold world out there when you’re starting over alone. This melodic, mid-tempo tune chronicles that journey. It’s lovely. She soars out of despair into shiny optimism. Highly recommended pop-country.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/Drink Along Song
Writers: Jenee Flenor/Wade Kirby/Phil O’Donnell/Buddy Owens; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Star Farm/Average Joes
– This is exactly why we love these guys. Full of good will and party pleasure. Tap your foot, sing along and turn that bottle up. Toast to the memory of Troy while you’re at it. A winner.

NOE PALMA/I’ll Be Your Whiskey
Writers: Ryan Griffin/Jason Matthews/Emily Shackleton; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Mae Capitol Label
– I dig this guy’s voice. In the verses, he’s warm, soft and intimate. On the choruses, he leaps into a forceful tenor wail. Send more, please.

BILLY RAY CYRUS & THE SNAKEDOCTOR CIRCUS/Goddess of Democracy
Writers: Billy Ray Cyrus/Don Von Tress/John Brennan; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BRC
– His new band is pretty cool. The song is kinda muddled — it seems to be about reclaiming freedom of speech and social justice or something like that. He sings it in an urgent, strangulated rasp. Odd and intriguing.

MICHAEL TYLER/Remember These Words
Writers: Michael Tyler/Jaron Boyer/Alexander Palmer/Luke Pell; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Reviver (CDX)
– Nicely done. It has a rhythm-happy, infectious charm that’s quite irresistible. He’s singing about keeping him in her heart even when he’s not there. Sweet and super commercial. Play it, then play it again.

WILLIE NELSON/Vote ‘Em Out
Writer: Willie Nelson; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; WN
– This YouTube clip introduces a new song by Willie that’s timed to the Midterm Elections. During a Beto O’Rourke Texas senatorial campaign appearance, he channels his inner Woody Guthrie while the audience sings along.

DISClaimer: Brothers Osborne, Lauren Jenkins Offer Top Tracks

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Brothers Osborne, Lauren Jenkins

It’s Star Time here at DISClaimer.

Sorry, indies, but the major labels and established names rule the roost today. And with artists like Lauren Alaina, Tim McGraw and Morgan Wallen in the mix, that’s a good, good thing.

Big Machine newcomer Lauren Jenkins nails down the DisCovery Award.

But what is even more exciting is the latest in an unbroken string of audio triumphs for Brothers Osborne. Their new tune easily captures the Disc of the Day prize.

MORGAN WALLEN/Whiskey Glasses
Writers: Ben Burgess/Kevin Kadish; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: 2016 Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Mr. Buck Lucky/Bump Into Genius Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Allegro/Over-Thought Under-Appreciated Songs (ASCAP); Big Loud
– A bodacious, boozy. boyish delight. His drawl is completely endearing. The track burbles along with verve. The tongue-in-cheek, heartache lyric is splendid. I have liked just about everything this fellow has dished out. Keep ‘em coming. I hope you become a big star.

RASCAL FLATTS/Back To Life
Writers: none listed; Producer: Rascal Flatts; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine
– A positive power ballad about how much he loves her. Tuneful. Well produced.

CALE DODDS/What We Gonna Do About It
Writers: Cale Dodds/Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Corey Crowder; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– Infectiously rocking. The track is a little “busy” sounding, but the spirit of the thing is so full of bright optimism that it’s hard to resist.

TIM MCGRAW/Neon Church
Writers: Ben Goldsmith/Ben Stennis/Ross Ellis; Producers: Byron Gallimore/Tim McGraw; Publishers: none listed; Columbia
-Echoey and atmospheric, this is an ode to the warm glow of a barroom where you can go to heal a broken heart. Tim’s vocal is processed in a cool kinda way, and the track swirls around it like a smoky halo. I’m in.

LAUREN JENKINS/Give Up The Ghost
Writers: Jenkins/Emily Shackelton; Producer: Julian Raymond/Lauren Jenkins/Scott Borchetta; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– It has a peppy rhythm track laid under a minor-key melody, which makes for ear-catching listening. Her slightly bruised vocal begs him to leave the memory of a previous lover behind and cling to her instead. A promising debut.

Youtube video

 

LAUREN ALAINA/Ladies In The ’90s
Writers: Alaina/Jesse Frasure/Amy Wadge; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury
– It’s a big ol’ bounce party with Lauren recalling growing up in the ‘90s, when there were so many more female role models on the radio. She name checks tunes by Shania, Faith, Britney, Deana, TLC, the Chicks, Reba, the Spice Girls and more as she romps through this audio delight. “I want to feel like ladies in the ‘90s,” she rejoices, remembering when “females were unstoppable.” There are millions of country listeners who feel this way, despite the pseudo-science of radio programming that disenfranchises them.

WALKER HAYES/’90s Country
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Monument
– More nostalgia for the ‘90s. The track is strictly cheesy, contemporary country hip-hop, and he doesn’t really sing (does he ever?). But what he’s name checking is reminiscence all the way — titles made famous by Kershaw, Chesney, Strait, Mary Chapin, Ricochet, Shania, John Michael, Shenandoah, David Lee, Deana, Lonestar and the like. Each line is a country flashback, even if it’s a pop single. Jaunty and engaging.

BROTHERS OSBORNE/I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)
Writers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne/Shane McAnally/Matt Dragstrem; EMI
– This change-of-pace ballad confirms the fact that this duo is one of the most creative record makers in country music today. TJ’s vocal here is a masterpiece of subtle shading. In the song’s lyric, he doesn’t recall what a wild man he used to be, because he’s found true love. Exquisite listening. Proud to be a huge, huge fan of these boys.

Youtube video

 

WATERLOO REVIVAL/Wonder Woman
Writers: George Birge/Cody Cooper/Marv Green/Ryan Tyndell; Producer: Jason Massey; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog
– Bland pop. Soft rock that went out of favor 30 years ago.

DOLLY PARTON/A Woman’s Right
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; WNYC
– This single is drawn from an album of songs celebrating the 27 amendments to the Constitution. The other participants are alt rockers, but there’s our Dolly chirping about women winning the right to vote (the 19th amendment, adopted in 1920, thanks to the state of Tennessee). Naturally, being Dolly, she adds wit and humor to her lyrics. Lively fun, and it will become ever more timely as we approach the 100th anniversary of the Suffrage Amendment.

DisClaimer: Carrie Underwood, Adam Hambrick Lead With Soaring, Sensitive New Tracks

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Adam Hambrick, Carrie Underwood

It’s a Capitol Nashville day here at “DisClaimer.”

The label has both the Disc of the Day with Carrie Underwood’s glory-hallelujah sound and the DisCovery Award winner with sensitive new troubadour Adam Hambrick.

But they’re not exactly resting on their laurels over there at BMLG. That label group has two of today’s strongest challengers, Thomas Rhett and Brett Young.

Toss in winners from Mercury’s Billy Currington and the independently released Thompson Square and you have the makings of a fine listening session.

BILLY CURRINGTON/Bring It On Over
Writers: Dallas Davidson/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip/Jesse Frasure; Producers: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure; Publishers: Round Hill/Natalia’s Music Money/Warner-Tamerlane/Ritten By Rettro/WB/Thankful For This/Pinetucky Road/Telemitry RHythm House/Songs of Roc Nation, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury
– This guy has a seemingly unerring gift for hearing a hit. This crunchy, catchy ditty is like an ear worm. And as if the song isn’t cool enough, there’s a layered, multi-voice production, an echoey atmosphere and a bubbling rhythm track. Crazy good.

WATERLOO REVIVAL/Wonder Woman
Writers: George Birge/Cody Cooper/Marv Green/Ryan Tyndell; Producer: Jason Massey; Publisher: none listed; Show Dog
– Generic, routine country-pop.

LINDSAY ELL/Champagne
Writers: Lindsay Ell/Walker Hayes/Fred Wilhelm; Producer: Kristian Bush; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek/BBR
– I fail to hear what this has to do with country music.

THOMAS RHETT/Sixteen
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Sean Douglas/Joe Spargur; Producers: Dann Huff/Jesse Frasure/Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket On the Line/Sony-ATV Ballad/Eastman Pond/Big Deal Beats/Brodsky Spensive/Nice Life/Words & Music, BMI; Valory Music
– Single #5 from the Life Changes CD is a slice of teen-age life with some dandy turns of phrases and truthful vignettes. Naturally, it ends with a look back from adulthood. But on the way there, your ears will fall in love with the lilting honesty and warm approach. Richly rewarding.

MORGAN EVANS/Day Drunk
Writers: Chris DeStefano/Lindy Robbins/Morgan Evans; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; Warner Bros.
– Fall might be upon us, but Morgan has a summer song that’s as bright as sunshine. The video features footage of him with Kelsea, frolicking in tropical splendor.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Love Wins
Writers: Carrie Underwood/David Garcia/Brett James; Producers: David Garcia/Underwood; Publishers: Carrie-Okie/Universal/Brentwood Benson/D Soul/CapitolCMG/Songs of Brett/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
– A full-throated, inspirational shout to the heavens about the ultimate victory of brotherhood over violence, prejudice, madness and hatred. I’m in.

ADAM HAMBRICK/Rockin’ All Night Long
Writers: Adam Hambrick/Kelly Archer/Pete Good; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts; Publishers: ole Red Cape/RED Like the Sunset/Stars and Stripes and Maple Leaf/Crack the Glass/Downtown DMP/Garda/King Pen/Songs of Downtown, ASCAP/BMI/SESAC; Capitol/Buena Vista
– Sweet and charming. His yearning tenor recalls the innocence of youth on a spree, “drinking up every moment ‘til it’s gone.” Hambrick has a reputation as a songwriter for others on Music Row. This debut puts a spotlight on him as a performer. Welcome to the winner’s circle, buddy.

BRETT YOUNG/Here Tonight
Writers: Brett Young/Ben Caver/Justin Ebach/Charles Kelley; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: none listed; BMLG
-Sexy. A romantic swoon. A crooning come-on.

THOMPSON SQUARE/Masterpiece
Writers: Keifer Thompson; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; T2
– I am so fond of these two. This lovely song compares the creation of their love to the great works of Shakespeare, Beethoven, Da Vinci and other one-of-a-kind geniuses. An anthem for all lovers, everywhere. Truly uplifting — it will make you want to hold tightly to whoever is dear to you.

TEGAN MARIE/I Know How To Make A Boy Cry
Writers: Tegan Marie/Nathan Chapman; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– This is loaded with hooks and personality. I could have done without the “na-na-na” passages, but otherwise it’s enormously listenable.

DISClaimer: Malcolm Holcombe Leads Gifted Americana Sounds

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Malcolm Holcombe. Photo by Andrea Furlan

It’s Americana week in Music City, and the listening is groovy.

The spectacularly gifted Malcolm Holcombe lands our Disc of the Day award with his new Nashville-recorded release.

The DisCovery Award goes to a husband-wife duo who call Nashville home, My One and Only.

But don’t stop with those two. There’s plenty more to hear here. Extra recommended are Mary Gauthier, Amos Lee and Jennifer Warnes. If I were choosing runners-up for our two top awards, they would be Mandy Barnett and Great Peacock.

AMOS LEE/No More Darkness, No More Light
Writer: Amos Lee; Producer: Tony Berg; Publisher: Soma Eel, ASCAP; Dualtone (track)
– The burbling track is quite light and lively, but there’s something serious going on in this lyric inspired by school shootings. As always, he sings with great elan and conviction. His highly recommended, brightly produced new CD is titled My New Moon. You’ll dig it.

MARY GAUTHIER/Soldiering On
Writers: Mary Gauthier/Jennifer Marino; Producer: Neilson Hubbard; Publisher: Mary Gauthier/SongWritingWithSoldiers, ASCAP; In The Black/Thirty Tigers
– Gauthier collaborated on all of the songs on her new Rifles & Rosary Beads collection with service men and women. The results ring with emotional honesty and stark inner truth, as though she tapped into their psyches like a therapist. Hubbard’s rumbling production on this track underscores her intense vocal delivery. This gifted singer-songwriter staged her Americana showcase on Wednesday at City Winery and will appear today at one of the convention’s discussion panels.

JENNIFER WARNES/Just Breathe
Writer: Eddie Vedder: Producers: C. Roscoe Beck/Jennifer Warnes; Publisher: Universal, no performance rights listed; Porch Light
– This peerless song interpreter and longtime Leonard Cohen collaborator has a new album titled Another Place, Another Time. It leads off with this striking reinterpretation of a Pearl Jam tune. The eclectic collection also dips into the catalogs of John Legend, Mark Knopfler, Mickey Newbury, Marcus Hummon and Warren Haynes/Derek Trucks. This track shimmers with French horn, cello, strings and organ. But elsewhere you’ll find everything from blues to country. She remains an enduring treasure.

MALCOLM HOLCOMBE/The New Damnation Alley
Writer: Malcolm Holcombe; Producer: Marco Glovino/Jared Tyler; Publisher: Gypsy Eyes, BMI; Singular (track)
-This gritty North Carolina mountain troubadour evokes dark hollows and woodsy shadows whenever he sings. Iris DeMent and Greg Brown are his harmony singers on the new Come Hell or High Water CD. This dark-umber composition illustrates why he’s a songwriter’s songwriter. The acoustic production lets his smoke-stained voice plainly wheeze out its condemnation of “millionaire barbarians” and “limousine liars” who drag the bleeding poor to despair. Gripping and great.

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL & THE AVETT BROTHERS/Willie Got There First
Writer: Seth Avett; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seirfert, Seth Avett & Scott Avett; Publishers: First Big Snow/Nemoivmusic/Ramseur Family Fold/Paw Paw/Lew Bob, SESAC/BMI; Bismeaux/Thirty Tigers
– It’s a slow waltz, not a scampering western swinger. “I had such a good idea for a song/But Willie got there first.” It seems that wherever the singer gets close to a gal and wants to woo her with music, the soundtrack has already been written by the Red Headed Stranger. Lots of Willie song titles are name-checked in the clever lyric. The rest of the Wheel’s New Routes CD hews closer to what one might expect. Its Americana showcase is late, late Thursday night at Mercy Lounge.

KATE CAMPBELL/Damn Sure Blue
Writers: Kate Campbell/Tom Kimmel; Producer: Will Kimbrough; Publishers: Large River/Morrissette, BMI/ASCAP; Large River (track)
– The title track to Kate’s new album is a laconic lament with a steady backbeat and some dandy vocal and twang support from her illustrious producer. She’s down but not out. And least not quite. Her always piquant originals form the core of the collection. But she also tosses in a pair of Johnny Cash covers as well as The Louvin Brothers’ “Great Atomic Power.” The album drops a week from tomorrow.

MY ONE AND ONLY/To My Rescue
Writers: Ben Wilson/Kassle Wilson; Producer: Abdrija Tokic; Publishers: none listed; MOAO (track)
– Two-steppin’ country, taken at a brisk pace. The production (by Alabama Shakes helmsman Tokic) is spare and twangy. They’re a husband-wife duo who share leads and harmonies. I like it that they start softly and then let fly with some grand hillbilly wailing. The Past Year is their debut CD, and it makes for some happy listening. Americana talent scouts, take note. These guys deserve some wide distribution.

MANDY BARNETT & JOHN HIATT/A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done
Writers: none listed; Producers: Marco Glovino/Doug Lancio; Publishers: none listed; Dame/Thirty Tigers
– She’s been typecast as a country neo-traditionalist, but at heart she has always been a torch singer. Thus, the new Strange Conversation CD’s repertoire spans Sanford Clark (”The Fool”), The Tams (”It’s All Right”), Tom Waits (”Puttin’ on the Dog”), Mabel Johns (”More Lovin’”) and Greg Garing (”Dream Too Real to Hold”), because all lend themselves to her sultry stylings. Not to mention a simmering, drunken-gypsy take on this Sonny & Cher chestnut with John Hiatt along for the ride. This is one extremely cool album. Check her out at Mercy Lounge on Thursday night. It’s bound to be an Americana convention highlight. The album drops next Friday.

GREAT PEACOCK/One Way Ticket
Writers: Kenneth Andrew Nelson/Stephen Blount Floyd; Producer: Dex Green; Publishers: Uncle Ken’s/Back 40; SESAC; Ropeadope (track)
-This Nashville band showcases at 5:00 p.m. at Musicians Corner on Thursday afternoon. Its new Gran Pavo Real CD contains this classy country-rocker boasting a delicious melody, high-lonesome harmonies, ultra-tight ensemble playing, dynamic rhythms and a terrifically engaging tenor lead vocal. Captivating and addictive.

AMANDA SHIRES/Parking Lot Pirouette
Writer: Amanda Shires; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Little Lambs Eat Ivy, BMI; Silver Knife (track)
– Her new To the Sunset CD has made her Americana’s current “It” girl. This track from it illustrates the collection’s strengths — pop song craftsmanship, layered arrangement, pert-soprano delivery, echoey atmosphere. Amanda’s convention showcase performance will be Thursday night at the Basement East.

DisClaimer: Delta Rae Deserves Country Radio Love

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Youtube video

For a welcome change, women ruled this DisClaimer listening session.

We have a tie for the DisCovery Award, and both winners are female singer-songwriters with exceptional gifts. In addition to being brilliant writers, Heather Morgan and Tenille Townes are both awesome vocalists. I can’t wait for full albums from them.

Led by the sterling lead-vocal performance of Brittany Holljes, Delta Rae takes home a well-deserved Disc of the Day honor. This band deserves so much more love than country radio has given it so far.

SISTER HAZEL/Small Town Living
Writer: Ken Block/Patrick Davis; Producer: Sister Hazel & Ben Jackson; Publisher: Crooked Chimney/EMI Blackwood, BMI; Croakin’ Poets (track) (sisterhazel.com)
—This super-tight, five-man Florida band shot to fame in 1997 with with the No. 1 A/C smash “All for You.” The same guys have been together for 25 years, and my hat is definitely off to that. This ringing, tempo tune packs a triple whammy with a chesty melody, soaring guitars and a country-boy lyric. It comes from a Nashville-recorded EP titled Wind that drops tomorrow. Sister Hazel headlines the Clarksville Riverfest Celebration at 9 p.m. this Saturday night.

TENILLE TOWNES/Somebody’s Daughter
Writers/Publishers: Tenille Townes- Year of the Dog Music (ASCAP); Luke Laird- Sony/ATV Story Music Publishing/We Are Creative Nation (GMR); Barry Dean- Be Barry Quiet/Creative Pulse Music/Pulse Nation (BMI); Produced by Jay Joyce; Columbia Nashville
—Wow. This is pretty dang amazing, loaded with empathy and sensitivity. She sees a homeless girl at the side of the road and muses about fate and the luck of the draw. The lyric is simply brilliant, and her delivery of it is superbly heart tugging. The crunching, crashing production drives it home. Sign me up for the fan club.

RYAN HURD/To a T
Writers and publishers: Ryan Hurd – Universal Music Corp./Lake Allegan Pub Club (ASCAP); Nathan Spicer – Red Like the Sunset Music/Spicer and Everything Nicer (ASCAP); Laura Veltz – Big Music Machine/Never Veltz So Good Publishing (BMI); Produced by Dann Huff & Aaron Eshuis; RCA Nashville (download) (ryanhurd.com)
—That’s his sweetie, Maren Morris, singing harmony with him throughout this cleverly written love letter. It has a coy, cuddly and super romantic flavor that’s as tasty as a candy bar.

BRIANA RENAE/Chasin’ Trouble
Writer: Briana Renae/Will Hopkins/Steve Mitchell; Producer: Jason Wyatt; Publisher: BR/Fogg Mountain Breakdown/Grin Like a Dog, no performance rights listed; BR (brianarenae.com)
—She’s a bad girl, so watch out. Her snarky vocal is backed by a furiously rocking track. Get on board or get run over.

DELTA RAE/Do You Ever Dream
Writer: Brittany Hölljes, Eric Hölljes, Ian Hölljes; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: Brittany Hölljes Publishing (ASCAP)./ WB Music Corp. / Eric Hölljes Music (ASCAP). All rights o/b/o itself and Eric Hölljes Music administered by WB Music Corp./ Ian Hölljes Music (ASCAP). Administered by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing; The Valory Music Co. (download) 
—In a word, gorgeous. The dazzling, glittering track swirls like a dreamy-hypnotic force while Brittany’s lead vocal aches with abandonment and thwarted desire. This ridiculously talented band has set up a “Delta Rae Revival” residency of Wednesday-night shows all season long at The Basement. It is promising “special guests” and “a show unlike any you’re ever seen in Nashville” every week from now through Dec. 19. Be there or be square.

HEATHER MORGAN/Your Hurricane
Writer: Heather Morgan; Producer: Paul Moak; Publisher: none listed; HM (download) (facebook.com/HeatherMorganMusic)
—Best known on Music Row for penning tunes sung by Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Keith Urban and more, Heather steps out as an artist, herself, with this stunning, bruised, heartache power ballad. Her singing voice is a revelation, an arrow of emotional honesty that pierced my heart. Her trills and embellishments sent shivers up and down my spine. The thudding, oomphy, echoey production is awesome, too. Please, please, please play this.

JASON ALDEAN/Girl Like You
Writer: Jaron Boyer/Josh Miranda/Michael Tyler; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Peermusic/Warner-Chappell, no performance rights listed; BBR (download) ()
—Since it sounds like much of the other sounds he’s released, this should please his many fans. It bored me.

THE STRYKER BROTHERS/Charlie Duke Took Country Music to the Moon
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Scriptorium Rex/Thirty Tigers (track) (strykerbrothersmusic.com)
—Twelve men have walked on the moon, but astronaut Charlie Duke is the country fan who took his favorite music to La Luna. The light-hearted song celebrating him is introduced by the late Merle Haggard. The romping, talking-blues number contains lively guitar picking and name-drops Porter, Dolly, Buck, Chet and more. Cute.

HUNTER HAYES/One Shot
Writer: Hunter Hayes; Producer: Hunter Hayes; Publisher: none listed; Atlantic (download) ()
—A catchy, clickety-clack rhythm track underscores a bopping ditty about having fun that you can’t remember, because you blacked out. A dandy comeback single.

JOSH WARD/All About Lovin’
Writer: Terry McBride/Chris Stapleton/William Brice Long; Producer: Greg Hunt & Drew Hall; Publisher: none listed; Smith Entertainment (track) (joshwardmusic.com)
—Solidly country, complete with a Texas accent and twangin’ guitars. The upbeat mood, rollicking track and party-time lyric are all radio friendly, if rather unexceptional.