DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zac Brown Band & Dolly Parton Team For Disc Of The Day

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Zac Brown & Dolly Parton

Today’s DISClaimer is awash in nostalgia for classic songs and artists.

David Frizzell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dan Seals and Willie Nelson are here, reminding us of our illustrious country-music past with “Always Late,” “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight,” “Everything That Glitters” and “Workin’ Man Blues.” Jack Schneider chimes in with his revival of “Crying in the Rain” and earns a DISCovery Award for his effort.

The Disc of the Day also features a classic stylist as the Zac Brown Band recruits the enduring Dolly Parton for a dynamite duet.

ROSIE FLORES / “Lines”
Writer: Rosie Flores; Producer: Ed Stasium; Label: Mule Kick Records
– Flores is a founding mother of the Left Coast alt-country/Americana scene, and her new music shows that she’s lost none of her moxie. This debut single from her Impossible Frontiers album (due Sept. 26) is a spikey, frisky, tuneful, pop-country outing with layered vocal harmonies and lively guitar licks. Utterly charming.

CHARLEY CROCKETT / “Crucified Son”
Writers: Charley Crockett/Kyle Madrigal/Taylor Grace; Producer: Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings; Label: Island Records
– Texas “gulf and western” maverick Crockett has moved to a new label home and offers this loping, bluesy slow-jam from his Dollar a Day collection. Effortlessly cool.

ZAC BROWN BAND & DOLLY PARTON / “Butterfly”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Sasha Sirota/Zac Brown; Producer: Zac Brown; Label: Master of None
– In a word, thrilling. Brown and Parton both sing their faces off on this inspirational duet that soars on wings of harmony. By the time they finish, you feel like you’re flying on the wind. Essential listening.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Only Bible”
Writers: Daniel Ross/Joe Clemmons/Ryan Hurd/Warren Zeiders; Producers: Ross Copperman, Warren Zeiders; Label: Warner Records
– His vocal ranges from hushed intimacy to raw shouts of passion. The lyric explains that real spirituality can come from person-to-person contact rather than from the pages of a book. Zeiders sells this beautifully produced gem like a pro.

LUKE BRYAN & DAN SEALS / “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)”
Writers: Bob McDill/Dan Seals; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Label: Melody Place
– The late, great Dan Seals placed 25 singles on the country charts and scored 11 No. 1 hits, including this 1986 chart topper. The tender, classic story song scores again in this new duet. It’s drawn from a collection of collaborations that aims to keep his memory alive. Amen to that.

CARTER FAITH / “Arrows (Die For That Man)”
Writers: Carter Faith/Steph Jones/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: MCA
– She swore she wouldn’t become a victim of love, but Cupid had other ideas. Faith’s sweet/tart soprano burbles along over a gently bopping production.

WILLIE NELSON / “Workin’ Man Blues”
Writers: Merle Haggard; Producers: Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson; Label: Legacy Recordings
– Willie’s distinctive acoustic guitar, Bobbie Nelson’s piano, Paul Nelson’s brushed drumming and Mickey Raphael’s harmonica anchor this toe-tapping revival of Hag’s 1969 classic. Willie’s vocal is one of the jazziest of his long, storied career. The upcoming album is devoted to the music of the late Merle, and these performances were the last studio recordings by both Bobbie and Paul. Righteous work.

MARGO PRICE / “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”
Writers: Jeremy Ivey/Kris Kristofferson/Margo Price/Rodney Crowell; Producer: Matt Ross-Spang; Label: Loma Vista Recordings
– This one’s a twang-soaked country rocker with an “outlaw” vibe. Price’s piercing soprano sasses in all the right places.

FLAT RIVER BAND & THE OAK RIDGE BOYS / “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight”
Writers: Donovan Cowart/Rodney Crowell; Producers: Flat River Band, Tre’ Corley; Label: FRB/Early Bird Records
– An unexpected delight. The band takes the 1980 oldie and gives it fresh percussion and acoustic picking. Their harmonies are spot-on and get even fuller when the Hall of Famer Oaks chime in with joyous quartet singing. Beautifully done. The video is a mini-movie with John Schneider appearing in his “Bo Duke” personna.

JACK SCHNEIDER / “Crying in the Rain”
Writers: Carole King/Gerry Goffin; Producer: Matt Andrews; Label: Jeffers Records
– Schneider gives this 1962 Everly Brothers jewel a gentle, acoustic, softly pleasing folkie spin. I have always loved this song, which was also a 1981 country single for Tammy Wynette. The harmony vocal is by the esteemed Wendy Moten, who should have been mixed louder. Schneider is a Nashville singer-songwriter who has played rhythm guitar for Vince Gill for years. His album, Streets of September, drops on the 19th.

DAVID, ALLEN & LEFTY FRIZZELL / “Always Late- With Your Kisses”
Writers: Lefty Frizzell; Producer: none listed; Label: StarVista
– David Frizzell’s forthcoming (Sept. 26) album is a tribute to his Hall of Fame brother Lefty with guests including Jimmy Fortune, Merle Haggard, Shelly West, Freddie Hart, Gene Watson, Ronnie Reno, Marty Haggard, Bill Anderson and Georgette Jones. The lead track and first single features David and baby brother Allen trading verses with their late, legendary sibling on a 1951 honky-tonk standard.

MJ LENDERMAN / “Wristwatch”
Writer: MJ Lenderman; Producer: Alex Farrar, MJ Lenderman; Label: Anti/Epitaph
– On Wednesday (Sept. 10), singer-songwriter Lenderman was named this year’s Americana Music Association’s Emerging Act. His latest single from his applauded Manning Fireworks collection is a folk-rock drawler with loads of his electric guitar, plus his plaintive vocalizing. Hearty sounding.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Two Duets Share Disc Of The Day

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We’re all over the musical map today in DISClaimer.

For your listening pleasure we have jazzy cabaret with Lisa Stewart, bluegrass message music via The Grascals/Dolly Parton collaboration, country rock from Karley Scott Collins, a folkie outing from the late John Prine, Latin romance with a Carin León & Kacey Musgraves duet, Jake Worthington’s hardcore honky-tonk and whatever-he-is Americana legend Todd Snider.

The Disc of the Day is a tie between two duets—the Carin León & Kacey Musgraves and the Dierks Bentley & The Band Loula collabs.

Give Texans Jerry DeLeon & Southbound a DISCovery Award.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Easy to Leave”
Writers: Aaron Zuckerman/Karley Scott Collins/Nathan Chapman; Producers: Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The grit and velvet in her voice are super compelling. She’s a multi-hyphenate who plays and writes as well as she sings. Collins and Nathan Chapman play all the instruments and co-produce her sounds. Her Flight Risk album is due Sept. 26. Sounds like it will be fierce.

THE GRASCALS & DOLLY PARTON / “Broken Angels”
Writers: Dolly Parton/Jamie Johnson; Producer: Kent Wells; Label: Billy Blue Records
– “One day at a time,” rings out as the message on this exquisite ballad about addiction and recovery. The three-part vocal harmonies lift this to hillbilly heaven.

K. MICHELLE / “Jack Daniel’s”
Writers: ERNEST/Jordan Dozzi/Kimberly Michelle Pate/Rocky Block; Producers: Jeff Balding, Kristian Bush; Label: BBR Music Group
– In this barroom wailer, she avers that Jack is the only man she trusts. Lotsa guitar and percussion in the busy production. She’s a former pop hit maker who sounds completely at home in country music.

DIERKS BENTLEY & THE BAND LOULA / “Get Down on Your Knees and Pray”
Writer: Bill Monroe; Producer: Ben Helson; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Swampy and moody and totally cool. Deep twang guitar, multi-part harmonies, searing fiddle and bluesy mandolin cut through a swirling cloud of haunting atmosphere. Fabulous listening. It’s recorded live, and it drives the audience absolutely wild. Me, too.

JAKE WORTHINGTON / “When I Write the Song”
Writer: Jake Worthington; Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Jon Randall; Label: Big Loud Texas
– Worthington’s sophomore album drops next week. Its title tune is a honky-tonk ballad that he invests with heart and a beautifully phrased, bent-note vocal. This Texas traditionalist is “keeping it country,” and I’m all ears. Bravo.

EMILY ANN ROBERTS / “Jack & Jill Daniel’s”
Writers: Emily Ann Roberts/Jeremy Spillman/Ryan Beaver/Trent Willmon; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS/Sony Music Nashville
– Very clever. It has a “Jack and Jill” plotline, but with a load of extra information. Like, Jack drinks because Jill broke his heart. The sunny mood and sweetly bopping track support a shiny-bright vocal performance. Nicely done. Roberts successfully competed on The Voice when she was still in high school. This single marks her Sony debut.

JOHN PRINE / “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody”
Writer: John Prine; Producer: Howie Epstein; Label: Oh Boy Records
– This is an alternative performance of Prine’s 1995 favorite, and it’s even cooler than the jaunty original. It lopes along with the wry attitude and easy-going charm that endeared him to millions. You’ll find it on a new posthumous album that combines the original tracks of his Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings album with unearthed demos, previously unreleased tracks and alternative song versions. The whole thing is a 20-track masterpiece.

COLBIE CAILLAT & LEE BRICE / “Kinda Single”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/Eric Arjes/Jimmy Robbins/Lee Brice; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records
– A deliciously melodic, cocktail-lounge pickup tune, dressed up in hearty harmonies and layered production. Both artists sing their faces off on this rippling toe tapper that treats romance as revolving door of push and pull. A winner.

LISA STEWART & TOMMY EMMANUEL / “The Man You Are Today”
Writers: Lisa Stewart/Rodney Crowell/Tommy Emmanuel; Producer: Kevin McKendree; Label: Qualified Records
– Stewart adopts a classic chanteuse vibe on this jazzy outing enlivened by Emmanuel’s sterling guitar work. Bass player Casey Abrams and drummer Chester Thompson complete the trio lineup backing her on this playful lyric. Sultry, slinky and soothing.

CARIN LEÓN & KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Lost in Translation”
Writers: Amy Allen/Kacey Musgraves/Oscar Armando Diaz de Leon/Shane McAnally; Producers: Julian Bunetta, Matt Zara; Label: Socios Music
– Mexican-style instrumental flourishes embellish this lilting, lively duet that describes a romance that’s trying to navigate a language barrier. León’s rapid-fire Spanish delivery contrasts with Musgraves’ languid style beautifully, and he harmonizes with her with immense verve. Wonderfully refreshing…and sexy, too.

TODD SNIDER / “While We Still Have a Chance”
Writers: Chris Robinson/Todd Snider; Producers: Aaron Lee Tasjan, Joe Bisirri, Robbie Crowell; Label: Aimless Records
– Americana legend Snider croaks out this plea for romantic reconciliation at a drawled, deliberately slow pace. The stripped-down, minimalist accompaniment wisely stays out of the way of his gripping, tuneless delivery. It’s an advance track from a collection titled High, Lonesome and Then Some, due for release on Oct. 17. I remain a fan.

RONNIE McDOWELL, RODNEY COLLINS & JOHNNY RODRIGUEZ / “Thing About Texas”
Writer: Ronnie McDowell; Producers: Mike Schrimpf, Ronnie McDowell; Label: Lanier Records
– McDowell wrote and produced this. He kicks it off with a lead vocal backed by lilting twin fiddles, but then he steps back and lets Collins and the late Johnny Rodriguez take the vocal spotlight. The breezy ode to the Lone Star State was Rodriguez’s last studio performance, and the single is dedicated to him.

JERRY DeLEON & SOUTHBOUND / “Cold One”
Writers: Alyssa Micaela/Chris Rafetto/Jeff Middleton; Producers: Stormy Cooper, Will Braun; Label: Azteca Ranch Music
– Kick back, put your feet up, relax and treat yourself to a brew at the end of a hard-working day. It’s a simple idea, but DeLeon’s earnest delivery and Southbound’s country-rock chops make it sound uttering inviting. A late afternoon groove that goes down smooth, thank to these San Antonio talents.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Billy Currington Wins Disc Of The Day With ‘Enchanting’ Tune

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Billy Currington

Music veterans keep pace with the youngsters today in DISClaimer.

Little Anthony, Michael Martin Murphey, Eddy Raven and Jackson Browne are all on tap, matching their still-vital voices with another generation of music makers. Of the solo tracks, Kashus Culpepper, Dylan Marlowe and Dasha are stand outs.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Billy Currington.

Brendan Walter takes home a DisCovery Award.

BRENDAN WALTER / “Back on Deseret”
Writers: Brendan Walter/Colton Venner; Producer: Grady Smith; Label: Sony
– This is a highly attractive country rocker with a nostalgic lyric recalling the street he grew up on. Walter sings with earnest charm, and the track is delightfully punchy.

HARDY / “Bottomland”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Jessie Jo Dillon/Michael Hardy/Smith Ahnquist/Zach Abend; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Big Loud
– The ballad is starkly produced with a cool, funeral-parlor organ and extended a cappella vocal passages. The hook about being buried in his native soil is repeated a few too many times.

DELTONA / “Heartbreak Fix”
Writers: Allison Veltz Cruz/Caleb Miller/Chris Deaton/Jason Massey/Ned Abernathy; Producer: Jason Massey; Label: Capitol/The Core Records
– This is a trio comprised of Chris Deaton, Caleb Miller and Ned Abernathy. They met at a writers’ round at The Bluebird, but don’t listen for anything acoustic on this single. The sound is pop-country, electronically processed and auto tuned within an inch of its life.

STEVE MARTIN, ALISON BROWN & JACKSON BROWNE / “Dear Time”
Writers: Steve Martin/Alison Brown; Producers: Alison Brown, Garry West; Label: Compass
– Browne sings lead with Martin and Brown’s banjos providing rippling accompaniment and elegantly tasteful solos on this gentle, folkie song of memories. The Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna provides vocal harmonies.

DASHA / “Like It Like That”
Writers: Dasha/David Garcia/JKash/Gian Stone; Producers: avid Garcia, Gian Stone; Label: Warner
– This bops along like crazy with merry handclaps and beats dropping left and right. The sprightly tempo tune is all about s-e-x.

BILLY CURRINGTON / “One Thing I Ain’t Been”
Writers: Chase McDaniel, Johnny Clawson, Steve Moakler; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: MCA
– The groove is enchanting, a rolling ride on a calm sea of sound. Amid the swaying atmosphere is Currington’s softly yearning invitation to romance. Very listenable.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Coming Home Tomorrow”
Writers: Joe Fox/Dylan Marlowe/Johnny Clawson; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony
– He’s leaving the road behind to find heaven at home. The super energetic, country-rock production surrounds his delivery with fiery electric guitar work and furious drumming. Nice work.

SOUL CIRCUS COWBOYS & EDDY RAVEN / “I Got Mexico”
Writers: Frank J. Myers/Eddy Raven; Producer: Frank Myers; Label: SSC
– This is a breezy, rollicking update of the 1984 Raven hit. The veteran country star easily keeps up with the young country rockers, swapping hearty vocals and harmonies with lead singer Billy McKnight. Stay tuned with the uber cool guitar solo. Timeless. Recommended.

LITTLE ANTHONY & BROOKE MORIBER / “Hurts So Bad”
Writers: Bobby Hart/Teddy Randazzo/Bob Weinstein; Producer: Fred Mollin; Label: Reviver
– The track begins starkly with acoustic piano and Moriber’s lustrously aching soprano. The duet builds in intensity, much like the 1965 iconic pop original. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Little Anthony (Jerome Anthony Gourdine) still sounds amazing at age 85. Vocal powerhouse Brooke Moriber is a Broadway veteran (Les Miserables) who has become a country mainstay in New York City.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Believe”
Writers: Kashus Culpepper/Foy Vance; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud
– Steeped in soul and recorded in Muscle Shoals, this is a stately anthem that reaches for faith and inspiration. Love the ghostly angelic background voices. Gripping listening.

CODY JOHNSON & MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY / “Wildfire”
Writers: Larry Cansler/Michael Martin Murphey; Producers: Trent Willmon & Ryan Murphey; Label: MMM
– What’s not to love? A brilliant, classic song. A country superstar. A match made in music marketing heaven.

AMANDA SHIRES / “Piece of Mind”
Writer: Amanda Shires; Producer: Lawrence Rothman; Label: ATO
– The multi-instrumentalist troubadour treads the line between rock and Americana in this dramatic outing. A grinding electric guitar and a deep-groove rhythm section thunder behind her light-soprano vocal.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Old Dominion Preview New Album With ‘Ridiculously Hooky’ Tune

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I hope you’re in a contemplative mood, because it looks like this is a country-ballad day here at DISClaimer.

Phil Vassar, Bernie Leadon, Preston Cooper and Ty Myers set the tone. Aaron Nunez, Romeo Vaughn, Ketch Secor, Priscilla Block and Asleep at the Wheel are somewhere in the middle with mid-tempo offerings.

Bucking the trend is our Disc of the Day, a wildly catchy, bopping tune from Old Dominion. Our DISCovery Award goes to the day’s finest honky-tonkin’ country rocker, “Hit By a Good Time” by Addis Luv.

ADIREN NUNEZ / “Wild”
Writers: Adrien Nunez/Mike Robinson/Nevin Sastry/Peter Fenn; Producers: Mike Robinson, Peter Fenn; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– Cool, anthem-like production with a full sound and mass chanting. Chugging beneath is an acoustic, strummy rhythm and rising above is his earnest tenor pondering his crazy personality. Impressive and different.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Couldn’t Care Less”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Cole Taylor/Priscilla Block/Trannie Anderson; Producer: David Garcia; Label: MCA
– She pretends she is carefree, but she’s fragile and insecure inside. Block sings expressively, and the lyric is nicely crafted. I remain a huge fan.

TY MYERS / “Through a Screen”
Writer: Ty Myers; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia 
– Here’s a young person’s view of romance today. Their relationship seems to occur exclusively online. He’s in love with her, and they’ve never met because the relationship is only “through a screen” of a phone. The ballad is produced with piano and orchestral backing.

PHIL VASSAR / “What It Means”
Writers: Dean Sams/Marty Dodson/Phil Vassar; Producer: Dean Sams; Label: PV
– Vassar had a near-death experience that transformed his outlook. When he came back to life, he had a lot of questions about mortality and existence. He has no answers. He only knows that from now on, he will live life to the fullest. The startling ballad’s production emphasizes his soulful singing and piano chops.

PRESTON COOPER / “Weak”
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Lance Miller/Preston Cooper; Producer: Brett Warren; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Cooper is a 22-year-old former mailman from Ohio. He’s also a helluva singer whose gritty wailing anchors this stately blues-ballad outing. This will wake you from slumbering through Music City’s dull parade of male country sound-alikes.

LYLE LOVETT & ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL / “Long Tall Texan”
Writer: Henry Strzelecki; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seifert; Label: Bismeaux Records
– Very amusing. Ray Benson plants tongue in cheek to deliver the cliche-packed Lone Star State lyric while Lyle Lovett provides a Greek chorus of commentary. A delightful disc. The new Wheel album, Riding High in Texas, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22)

RAELYNN / “Long Live Country Music”
Writers: Aaron Gillespie/Lauren Hungate/Racheal Lynn Davis; Producers: Aaron Gillespie, RaeLynn; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– This is a sprightly boot stomper that celebrates hard livin’ honky tonkin.’ Shout outs to Cash, Dolly and Jones sprinkle the lyric.

ROMEO VAUGHN / “Big Dreams From a Small Town”
Writers: Brandon Hartt/Romeo Vaughn; Producer: Ryan Rossebbo; Label: RV
– “I wanna be somewhere between Skynyrd and Willie,” he sings. The narrative song is an autobiography of his journey to making it in music. Electronic finger snaps, chiming guitars and an airy atmosphere are the production’s hallmarks. The video is due on Aug. 26, and it will reportedly flesh out some of the details of this Mexican-American’s story. He is a recovering alcoholic military veteran who was homeless until the Nashville nonprofit Matthew 25 gave him a second chance at life.

BERNIE LEADON / “Too Many Memories”
Writer: Bernie Leadon; Producer: Glyn Johns; Label: Straight Wire Records
– Leadon is a founding member of The Eagles and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It has been 21 years since this Nashvillian has released a solo album. Its single is a deliberately paced ballad of nostalgia. The video intercuts footage and stills of his days as an Eagle with a contemporary view of him playing in a simple studio setting. Leadon will be showcasing the rest of his new music during the Americana convention next month.

ADDIS LUV / “Hit By a Good Time”
Writers: Jim Brown/Terri Jo Box; Producer: none listed; Label: Angel Eyes Music
– Way cool. He can’t remember anything about last night, but his money’s all gone and he vaguely remembers an overtime Titans game and a mysterious woman whose name escapes him. It’s a snappy country rocker played and sung with enormous verve and heart. The singer is from Trinidad, but he “gets” country music. Big Time. Loved it so much I played it on repeat.

KETCH SECOR & MOLLY TUTTLE / “What Nashville Was”
Writers: Jody Stevens/Ketch Secor; Producers: Jody Stevens, Ketch Secor; Label: KS
– Old Crow Medicine Show frontman and “Wagon Wheel” co-writer Secor adopts a Woody Guthrie spoken/sung style on this meditation about the passage of time and the dramatic changes that have occurred in Music City. The track samples Dylan & Cash singing “Girl From the North Country,” particularly the line, “She once was a true love of mine.” Tuttle harmonizes on the sung choruses and carries the hook into the fade. This is wonderfully done, his best single to date. With its vintage footage, the video is cool, too. Secor will be the new host of the beloved PBS-TV series Tennessee Crossroads beginning next month.

OLD DOMINION / “Late Great Heartbreak”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The much-awarded band’s much-anticipated new album, Barbara, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22). I expect it will be filled with wall-to-wall great songs, as usual. That’s certainly the case of its ridiculously hooky new single. It’s tuneful and bopping and utterly charming.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zach Bryan & Kings Of Leon Team For Disc Of The Day

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Country music is rocking out this week.

This edition of DISClaimer features roaring sounds from Morgan Wade, Jelly Roll & Marshmello and Kip Moore. The best sounding one is a collaboration, Zach Bryan performing with Music City’s finest rock band, Kings of Leon. It is our Disc of the Day. 

Our DISCovery Award winner for today is Canadian country star Aaron Goodvin.

LACI KAYE BOOTH / “George F***king Strait”
Writers: Anderson East/Laci Kaye Booth/Melissa Fuller; Producers: Anderson East, Ben West; Label: Geffen Records
– Ultra modern sounding: Twangy, echoey track with a slow-burn vibe overlaid with her sly, drawling delivery. She yearns for a guy who gets better with age, like the country singer.

CHRIS YOUNG / “Jesus, Mama, Country Radio”
Writers: Chris Young/ChrisDeStefano/Josh Phillips/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Andy Sheridan, Chris Young; Label: Black River Entertainment
– Bright and upbeat. A toe tapper with jangling guitars and a thumpin’ beat.

AARON GOODVIN / “Said No Redneck Ever”
Writers: Aaron Goodvin/Brent Baxter/Trea Landon; Producers: Aaron Goodvin, Matthew Evan McClure; Label: Sakamoto Music
– “That beer’s too cold; that girl’s too hot; somebody turn Bocephus off.” You get the idea. No redneck says the words in the lyrics of this light-hearted ditty. A fun listen.

LAUREN ALAINA / “Little Things”
Writers: Emily Falvey/Lauren Alaina/Ross Copperman/Seth Ennis; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– The autobiographical power ballad reminisces about her late dad. Alaina’s singing sounds stronger than ever.

DUNCAN DANIELS / “Cowboys Wear Stetsons”
Writers: Darbi Shaun Lacagnina/Duncan Daniels/Ron Pope/Zach Berkman; Producer: Justine Blazer; Label: Dunkishrock Production
– He’s aiming for a traditional sound here. But his singing is quite weak.

JON PARDI / “Hey California”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Hunter Phelps/John Charles Reno Prentice/Jordan Minton; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A breezy tempo track is married to a country heartbreak lyric in this catchy, listenable, easy-going outing.

ZACH BRYAN & KINGS OF LEON / “Bowery”
Writers: Caleb Followill/Jared Followill/Matthew Followill/Nathan Followill/Zach Bryan; Producer: Zach Bryan; Label: Warner Records
– This rocks splendidly. Bryan’s wailing lead vocal hits the mark, and the slammin’ Nashville band kicks serious butt. The whole thing sounds exactly like a great big hit record.

TY HERNDON & ASHLEY McBRYDE / “A Man Holdin’ On to a Woman Letting Go”
Writers: Bobby Taylor/Gene Dobbins/John Ramey; Producers: Jimmy Thow, John Osborne; Label: Club44 Records
– Herndon revisits his 1998 hit, this time as an electrifying duet with the peerless McBryde. Both artists absolutely nail their vocals, separately and harmonizing together. Magnificently done.

JELLY ROLL & MARSHMELLO / “Holy Water”
Writers: Danny Majic/Jason Deford/Justin Franks/Kameron Alexander/Marshmello/Ryan Vojtesak; Producers: Charlie Handsome, Danny Majic, Frank E, Marshmello; Label: Mercury Records
– It’s a slowly paced eulogy for those who have left us. The totally electronic track is pop all the way.

KIP MOORE / “American Heartbreak”
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Kip Moore; Producers: Jaren Johnston, Kip Moore; Label: Virgin Music Group
– Urgently rocking, with its blue-collar roots on full display. This talented guy never disappoints.

MORGAN WADE / “The Party Is Over”
Writer: Morgan Wade; Producer: Clint Wells; Label: Ladylike Records/RCA Nashville
– Bitter and weary. She knows the relationship is over, but she can’t stop wanting him. The midtempo track seethes with electric-guitar power. It’s the title track of her just-released fourth album.

JOSHUA HEDLEY / “Fresh Hot Biscuits”
Writer: Joshua Hedley; Producers: Joshua Hedley, Ray Benson; Label: New West Records
– Old-school country champion Hedley has been a fixture at Robert’s Western World on Lower Broadway for years. Prior releases have featured him in honky-tonk and Nashville Sound settings. His next project will be a western-swing collection, produced by Asleep at the Wheel’s Ray Benson. And, yes, those snappy fiddle breaks are Joshua’s own. This delightful ditty is an advance taste of what we can expect when Hedley’s All Hat collection drops in October.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dierks Bentley, Riley Green & John Anderson Team For Disc Of The Day

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Dierks Bentley, Riley Green & John Anderson

The hallmarks of this edition of DISClaimer are ballads and collaborations.

Tugging at the heartstrings are the sublime Tim McGraw, Austin Snell, Hudson Westbrook and Bailey Zimmerman. McGraw wins the battle of the ballads.

The collabs are a merrier lot. Colbie Caillat’s matches up with Maddie & Tae; the Zac Brown Band burns one down with Snoop Dogg; Chris Jones & The Night Drivers are pluperfect country with Jim Lauderdale. Dierks Bentley, Riley Green and John Anderson romp off with the Disc of the Day prize.

The DISCovery Award goes to Alexandra Kay.

DIERKS BENTLEY, RILEY GREEN & JOHN ANDERSON / “Broken Branches”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Graham Barham/Zach Abend; Producers: Jon Randall, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– A rollicking drinkin’ party with lotsa rhythm and plenty of smiles. The trailer-trash music video is creating a viral sensation.

AUSTIN SNELL / “Family Tree”
Writers: Austin Snell/Conor Matthews/Nicolette Hayford/Riley Thomas; Producer: Andrew Baylis; Label: River House Artists/Warner Music Nashville
– The echoey ballad contemplates generational trauma with a clear understanding and forthright honesty. Both the vocal performance and the production are gorgeous. Play this.

BAILEY ZIMMERMAN / “Chevy Silverado”
Writers: Bailey Zimmerman/Gavin Lucas/Heath WarrenIlsey Juber/Tucker Beathard; Producer: Austin Shawn; Label: Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville
– He’s lost her, but he still has his truck. Heartache with soaring electric guitars.

ALEXANDRA KAY / “Straight For The Heart”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Karley Scott Collins/Sasha Sloan; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts; Label: BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records
– If you’re gonna break her heart, make her hate you first. The sound is big and oomphy, but she’s a strong enough singer to power through. Highly promising

COLBIE CAILLAT WITH MADDIE & TAE / “Live Without”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/Eric Arjes/Jimmy Robbins/Liz Rose; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records
– “Goodbye ain’t the bullet that I thought it was,” they sing in wafting harmony. The jaunty bopper is about thriving and soaring after a breakup. The happy rhythm, the sparking production and the intertwined voices are all completely enchanting. A terrific pop-country outing.

CHRIS JONES, THE NIGHT DRIVERS & JIM LAUDERDALE / “How Small of Me”
Writers: Andrew McCutcheon/Chris Jones; Producer: Chris Jones; Label: Mountain Home Music Company
– A dandy disc. Audio elegance. With honky-tonk vocals, an acoustic bluegrass arrangement and a two-step tempo, what’s not to love? Jones is celebrating his 30th anniversary with his band. Lauderdale was announced this week as an upcoming Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee.

MAGGIE ROSE & GRACE POTTER / “Poison in My Well”
Writers: Davis Naish/Margaret Durante/Melissa Fuller; Producers: Ben Tanner, Davis Naish; Label: One Riot Records
– Bluesy and groove soaked, this slow-burn anthem addresses someone who can’t be happy for someone else’s good fortune. Both singers are accomplished pop practitioners.

MON ROVIA / “Heavy Foot”
Writers: Andrew Lowe/Cooper Holzman/Eric Cromartie/Grant Averill; Producer: Cooper Holzman; Label: Nettwerk Music Group
– This artist blends his Liberian heritage with Appalachian folk story telling. His new single has a lilting, strummy-guitar track that bops along happily. But the lyric protests the heavy foot of a government trying to “keep us all down.” Not to worry, the song assures us that love and solidarity will persevere. Mon Rovia staged his Opry debut on July 29.

TIM McGRAW / “King Rodeo”
Writers: Tim McGraw/Tom Douglas; Producer: Byron Gallimore, Denny Hemingson, Tim McGraw; Label: Big Machine Records
– This will stop your heart. It’s a ballad of aging and loss, delivered with ache and stunning emotional power. McGraw introduced at his rodeo concert last month, and in this live track, you can feel/hear the massive crowd’s tearful acceptance. A country music master singing unvarnished truth.

ZAC BROWN BAND & SNOOP DOGG / “Let It Run”
Writers: Andy Frasco/Chris Gelbuda/John WidoMakr/Snoop Dogg/Zac Brown; Producer: Zac Brown; Label: Master of None
– A celebration of smoking weed with the band’s usual flawless harmony work. Dogg’s rap drops in mid-song, but this is Zac’s record all the way. Programmers take note: There is a whole lot of cussing in this lyric.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jordan Davis’ ‘Emotionally Compelling Vocals’ Strike Again

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Country music gets back to its roots in today’s edition of DISClaimer.

Guitars, not synthesizers, are the lead instruments. Ballads with powerful lyrics take over from the rock and pop productions that have dominated the genre for too long. Leading the way are Riley Green, Walker Hayes, Old Dominion, Aubry Rodriguez, Carter Faith and our Disc of the Day winner, Jordan Davis. All of them deserve massive airplay and streams. 

The DISCovery Award goes to JoJo Mason.

JOJO MASON / “Gold”
Writers: Bonnie Baker/Cameron Bedell/Hunter Hayes; Producer: Ryan Stead; Label: 604 Records
– This rising Canadian star blends country and soul beautifully on this warm, radiant, luscious ballad. He likens his sunshine lover to gold while a wafting choir whispers and sighs along. A zephyr of sound.

JORDAN DAVIS / “Turn This Truck Around”
Writers: Devin Dawson/Jake Mitchell/Jordan Davis/Josh Thompson; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: MCA Nashville
– I am such a huge fan of this guy. His furry, throaty vocals are so emotionally compelling, and his songwriting is just terrific. On this outing, an insistent rhythm track beats like his broken heart while he heads for a destination unknown—unless her memory becomes so powerful that he heads back home. I hung on every line.

LAUREN WATKINS / “Marlboro Man”
Writers: Jeremy Spillman/Lauren Watkins/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Big Loud Records
– Watkins waxes nostalgic about an idealized, vanished macho cowboy on this languid track. Deep twang guitars and sighing steel accompany her as she muses about sharing horsebacks and smokes with him.

MORGAN WALLEN, LIL WAYNE & RICK ROSS / “Miami”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Charlie Handsome/Chase McGill/Dean Dillon/Dwayne Carter/Ernest Keith Smith/Hank Cochran/Michael Hardy/Morgan Wallen/Royce Porter/William Leonard Roberts II; Producers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– There are faint echoes of Keith Whitley’s “Miami My Amy” in between Wallen’s plaintive singing and the stoned-out rapping. The track is a looped, electronic confection that will find more acceptance on pop playlists than on country ones. At least I hope so.

CARTER FAITH / “Bar Star”
Writers: Aaron Raitere/Carter Faith/Tofer Brown/Tyler Halverson; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: MCA
– “Bless his liver and his honky-tonk heart, ‘cause my baby’s a bar star.” Instead of going for a stay-at-home straight arrow, she goes for the roadhouse boozer on this delightful two stepper. Ms. Faith delivers the tune like a modern-day Loretta and Russ Pahl’s steel guitar sizzles and stings to answer her every hillbilly phrase. This, my friends, is by-gawd country music.

WALKER HAYES / “17 Year Old Problems”
Writer: Walker Hayes; Producer: Billy Dawson; Label: RCA Records
– Fake IDs, curfews, flunking a class, losing football games, spring break issues, breakups, summer jobs and teen angst. These issues are long gone as he faces the deaths of loved ones, paying bills, going to rehab and the broken dreams of adulthood. Now he wishes all he had to worry about were those teenage problems. This is a tremendously effective single, produced sparingly, sung with heart and written with insight. Brilliant work.

LAUREN ALAINA & CHASE MATTHEW / “All My Exes”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Jimmy Gutch/Lauren Alaina/Whitney Phillips; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Irritating and utterly tuneless. Both of them blathering about how hard they are to love. There’s no harmony singing, but how could there be when there’s no melody?

RILEY GREEN / “Bartender in Destin”
Writers: Nick Walsh/Sam Banks; Producer: Erik Dylan; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– I wish more country stars would release music like this—Green shines brighter than ever by singing with just an acoustic guitar accompaniment. The lyric deftly paints a laid-back romantic scene. Highly recommended listening.

AUBRY RODRIGUEZ / “Leaving Texas”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: AR
– She sings softly to convey the longing for a lost loved one and missing home. Simple bass and acoustic guitar gently support the lovely ballad. Aubry is the daughter of the late, great Johnny Rodriguez, whose Celebration of Life is scheduled for Aug. 11 at the Troubadour Theater in Music Valley at 5:30 pm.

OLD DOMINION / “Miss You Man”
Writers: Matt Jenkins/Matthew Ramsey/Ross Copperman/Trevor Rosen; Producers:Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Three Up Three Down/Columbia Nashville
– As always, brilliantly written. This is a powerfully touching ode to grief. It’s been six years, but he still misses his best pal. Echoing guitars swirl around the lead vocal in this exquisite production.

GABBY BARRETT / “The Easy Part”
Writers: Gabby Barrett/Jon Nite/Michael Hardy/Zach Abend; Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Abend, Zach Kale; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Tears turn to triumph in this breakup anthem. Piano and percussion drive the oomphy pop-country production.

THE BAND LOULA / “Sweet Southern Summer”
Writers: Gary Nichols/Greg Bieck/Logan Simmons/Malachi Mills; Producer: Greg Bieck; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Haunting and transfixing. The moody, minor-key track evokes a sultry, heat-soaked season in Dixie (which sounds pretty familiar these days). Logan Simmons sings the bluesy lead while Malachi Mills matches her with close harmony work. John Osborne of Brothers Osborne provides the yearning, dobro-centered production.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Rodney Crowell Gives Hall Of Fame Worthy Performance

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Rodney Crowell. Photo: Neilson Hubbard

Is everybody on vacation?

This week’s DISClaimer stack of sounds sure seems like it. Superstars are in short supply and the songwriting pickin’s are slim. 

Mind you, there are still some highlights, namely Scotty McCreery, Sheryl Crow, Chris Janson, Tanner Adell, Billy Currington and our Disc of the Day winner, Rodney Crowell.

Shaylen stages her debut in the column and takes home a DISCovery Award.

BILLY CURRINGTON / “King of the World”
Writer: Troy Jones; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: Mercury Nashville
– An upbeat, bluesy celebration of summer, loaded with dobro and slide guitar licks. He’s got a boxed lunch, some weed, Merle’s tunes, a devoted dog, a fishing pole and a boat. Feelin’ fine.

MAE ESTES / “Mountain of a Man”
Writers: Jon Decious/Lauren McLamb/Liz Rose/Paul Sikes; Producer: Paul Sikes; Label: Big Machine Records
– A peppy, double-time beat drives this snappy ditty praising a 6’10” former boyfriend. A dobro solo, an echoing gang of backup singers and her pert soprano delivery are among the audio highlights.

GAVIN ADCOCK / “Last One to Know”
Writers: Erik Dylan/Gavin Adcock/Jack Rauton/Luke Laird; Producer: Jay Rodgers; Label: Thrivin Here Records/Warner Music Nashville
– This ACM New Male nominee takes a break from his rowdy, redneck-rebel image with a mournful lament. He’s still not much of a singer.

LUKE COMBS / “Back in the Saddle”
Writers: Dan Isbell/Jonathan Singleton/Luke Combs; Producers: Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– A roaring declaration of …. exactly what? He’s hollering powerfully about launching some kind of comeback. It’s a potent sounding track, if somewhat lyrically vague.

CALI TUCKER / “Last Name”
Writers: Cali Tucker/Derek Robertson/G’harah “PK” Deg/Tricia Battani; Producer: G’harah “PK” Degeddingseze; Label: Mother Tucker Music
– This former contestant on The Voice is the daughter of LaCosta Tucker and the niece of Tanya. Her new single addresses having a famous name, but needing to stand on her own. Cali’s nicely phrased vocal rides atop a burbling, multi-layered, heavily edited, electronic pop production.

SCOTTY McCREERY & HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH / “Bottle Rockets”
Writers: Bobby Hamrick/Brent Anderson/Darius Rucker/Dean Felber/Derek George/Frank Rogers/Jeremy Bussey/Jim Sonefeid/Mark Bryan/Monty Criswell/Scotty McCreery; Producer: Frank Rogers; Label: Triple Tigers
– A tuneful recollection of teenage summer on a Carolina beach with his girlfriend. The bonfire night was perfect, especially when she asked him to sing “Hold My Hand.” At the mention of the title, the Blowfish chime in with glorious harmony singing. An irresistible single.

SHAYLEN / “Loneliest Man”
Writers: Andrew Baylis/Conor Matthews/Riley Thomas/Shaylen; Producers: Julian Raymond, Shaylen; Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
– He dumped her, but she’s okay with it, knowing he’s headed on a journey that will make him, “the loneliest man in the world.” Confidently sung and well produced. Languid and lovely, yet not especially compelling as a song.

RODNEY CROWELL / “Twenty-One Song Salute (Owed to G.G. Shinn and Cléoma Falcon)”
Writer: Rodney Crowell; Producer: Tyler Bryant; Label: Rodney Crowell
– Hidden in the lyric are the titles of 21 songs that helped to forge his musical life. The track rocks splendidly and Crowell remains a master at delivering a Texas-accented country performance. Tyler Bryant provides the harmony vocal. Highly recommended. This singer-songwriter belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

TANNER ADELL / “Giddy Up Gorgeous”
Writer: Tanner Adell; Producers: Cambo, leelee, LOUALLDAY; Label: TA
– The titled tune of Adell’s current tour is the lead track on her new Don’t Pet EP. It’s a lilting statement that she won’t be a victim and aims to steer her own destiny. A tasteful, spare production has just the right touch for her personable vocal delivery.

CHRIS JANSON / “Wild Horses”
Writers: Chris Janson/Kelly Roland/Pat Bunch; Producers: Chris Janson, Michael Wayne Wilkes; Label: Harpeth 60 Records/Warner Music Nashville
– If she’s looking for a wild guy, he’s her man. The country-rock track thumps along with zest and Janson gives it his all. Highly listenable.

THE JACK WHARFF BAND / “Moonshine Man”
Writer: Jack Wharff; Producer: Charlie Worsham; Label: Big Machine Records
– His almost-shrieking tenor vocal fronts sawing fiddles, fleet mandolin picking, electric guitar bursts and furious Southern-rock drumming. Intriguing and worth some spins.

SHERYL CROW & THE REAL LOWDOWN / “The New Normal”
Writers: Audley Freed/Fred Eltringham/Jen Gunderman/Peter Stroud/Robert Kearns/Sheryl Crow; Producer: Sheryl Crow and The Real Lowdown; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Collaborating with her longtime band, the new Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee returns to her pop-rock roots with this snappy bopper. The outspoken lyric critiques AI/robot culture, “the leader of the free world,” fake news and more. A/C programmers take note.

JOSH ROSS / “Later Tonight”
Writers: Alexander Izquierdo/Ashley Gorley/John Byron/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Matt Geroux; Label: Core Entertainment
– His “Single Again” was a big ol’ hit. The follow-up is a finger-bopping ode to moving on after a breakup. Except when he gets back home, she’s still on his mind. The melody has all the complexity of a nursery rhyme. This one’s all about the percussive production.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton Team For Disc Of The Day

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Country’s female artists take the spotlight today in DISClaimer.

Eight of our finest are in today’s playlist—Miranda, MŌRIAH, Dasha, Sacha, Brooke Lee, Carter Faith, Priscilla Block and Sara Evans. From their ranks come the prize winners. The Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton, but lend an ear to Ms. Carter Faith, who was also a mighty strong contender.

Brooke Lee takes the DISCovery Award. She’s good enough for Lukas Nelson, so she’s good enough for me.

Among our male discs, those by Russell Dickerson and the late Mike Henderson are the ones to definitely hear.

MIKE HENDERSON / “Weepin’ & Moanin’”
Writer: Mike Henderson; Producer: Kevin McKendree; Label: Qualified Records
– Mike Henderson held court every Monday night at The Bluebird Cafe for nearly 40 years until his sudden death in 2023. A veteran of The SteelDrivers (2005-2011) and The Bluebloods, he wrote hit songs with Chris Stapleton and crafted five solo albums showcasing his blistering slide guitar work and roadhouse sense of humor. The beloved entertainer is being saluted with Last Nite at the Bluebird, a posthumous compilation of some his best live tracks from those “Blue Monday” gigs. It kicks off with this self-composed grinder that includes his wry welcoming remarks. The set also includes such faves as “Pay Bo Diddley,” “Matchbox” and “Too Much Alcohol.” Friends and fans gathered to celebrate the CD and his memory this past Monday at the club.

MIRANDA LAMBERT & CHRIS STAPLETON / “A Song to Sing”
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Jenee Fleenor/Jesse Frasure/Miranda Lambert; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Republic Records
– Groove soaked and soulful. A stately, rump-shaking beat and some smokey, swirly guitar-organ-violin atmosphere back a masterpiece of duet singing. Stunning, beautiful and absolutely essential.

BRYAN RUBY / “Diggin’ (’Til the Corn Comes Up)”
Writer: John Trentes; Producers: Bryan Ruby, Smith Curry; Label: Rubies In The Rough Music
– This rocking hunk of sound roars the saga of a hard-working man trying to keep his head above water. It is drawn from Ruby’s Growing Season EP. The collection’s release party occurred at The Green Light Bar on Tuesday evening (July 15).

OLD DOMINION / “Making Good Time”
Writers: Brad Tursi/Matthew Ramsey/Ross Copperman/Ross Ellis/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Columbia Nashville
– A country rocker for the young at heart. The teenagers in these lyrics are hot to trot and also plotting to escape their “slow down town.”

BROOKE LEE & LUKAS NELSON / “Dandelion”
Writers: Bobby Hamrick/Brinley Addington/Brooke Lee; Producer: Derek Wells; Label: Spirit Nashville Recordings/2 Mix Music
– This has a cool, swampy groove and a lyric of resilience. A dandelion will push up through the smallest crack in the pavement and persevere. That flower is what she compares herself to. Nelson contributes guitar, a harmony vocal and solo spots.

MARCUS HUMMON & SARA EVANS / “I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed”
Writers: Emily Dickinson/Marcus Hummon; Producer: Marcus Hummon; Label: 3686 RECORDS
– Songs for Emily is an album comprised of songs marrying Emily Dickinson’s poetry to Marcus Hummon’s melodies. On this track, the poet was joyously enraptured by a summer day. Evans sings lead on the bopping number. Hummon takes over during the bridge and sings along elsewhere. Sunny sounding.

MŌRIAH / “Superwoman”
Writers: Ivory Lane/Mōriah Smallbone/Paul Mabury; Producer: Paul Mabury; Label: F2 Entertainment Group
– This ballad mourns the loss of youthful bravery. She misses the hopes and dreams and aspirations that made her feel like a super hero when she was a kid. She wants to fly again, but she’s earthbound now. MŌRIAH’s delivery is spell binding, going from a dusky, whispery alto to a yearning, airy soprano. Recommended.

DASHA / “Oh, Anna!”
Writers: Anna Dasha Novotny/Chris LaCorte/Emily Weisband/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Warner Records
– This gentle bopper asks her little-girl self to come back and bring her innocent courage, optimism and confidence. Sprightly yet thoughtful. This gal is batting a thousand.

RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Happen to Me”
Writers: Chase McGill/Chris LaCorte/Jessie Jo Dillon/Robert Hazard/Russell Dickerson; Producers: Chris LaCorte, Josh Kerr, Russell Dickerson; Label: Triple Tigers
– Dickerson leads a dance party in a wild whirl of merriment. Along the way, he assures us that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” It will come as no surprise to learn that the track also has a dance remix.

SACHA & RESTLESS ROAD / “Shooting Star”
Writers: Cole Miracle/Colton Pack/Garrett Nichols/Sacha Visagie/Sam Martinez/Zach Beeken; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Sony Music Canada
– Sacha is a Canadian country chart topper, previously noted for “Hey Mom I Made It.” Teamed with the Restless Road trio, she sounds even better than before. The rolling, swaying country rocker sports electric-guitar licks galore as well as some fine vocalizing by both acts.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “You’re Breaking My Heart (Cecelia)”
Writers: Chris Tompkins/Hailey Whitters/Jesse Frasure/Jessie Jo Dillon/Paul Simon; Producers: David Garcia, Jesse Frasure; Label: UMGN InDent Records
– This is a fascinating mash up of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 hit with her lyrics about a “Jolene” who’s up to no good. Pretty dang irresistibly catchy.

CHARLIE DANIELS & THE BEAU WEEVILS / “How We Roll”
Writer: Charlie Daniels; Producer: Casey Wood, James Stroud; Label: Blue Hat Records
– This Southern rocker with redneck pride was originally issued as by The Beau Weevils. Seven years later, the band’s ouput is being reissued, re-branded with the late Daniels’ name and re-tooled for digital consumption.

CARTER FAITH / “Sex, Drugs and Country Music”
Writers: Carter Faith/Lauren Hungate/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: UMG Nashville
– An absolute delight. The lilting melody and her airy vocal sweetly reflect on the fact that “love is stupid” and that the best way to get through a heartbreak is with “Sex, Drugs and Country Music.” Winsome and wonderfully charming from start to finish.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Riley Green & Ella Langley Return With Some ‘Sublime Listening’

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Riley Green and Ella Langley

Newcomers and old friends vie for our listening attention in today’s DISClaimer.

In the latter category are Brett Young, Dustin Lynch, Chris Young, Cam, Joy Oladokun and Disc of the Day winners Riley Green & Ella Langley.

Among the youngsters, Will Jones stands out as the DISCovery Award artist of the week.

HUDSON WESTBROOK / “Damn Good Taste in Whiskey”
Writers: Hudson Westbrook/Randy Montana; Producer: none listed; Label: River House Artists/Warner Music Nashville
– He’s a loser in love in this honky-tonk lament. He has bad taste in women, but knows his liquor. Westbrook is donating 100% of his merch sales this weekend to Texas Hill Country flood relief. This sounds like an idea worth spreading to other acts.

DUSTIN LYNCH / “Easy To Love (MOONLGHT Remix)”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Ben Johnson/Dustin Lynch/Jon Hall/Zach Crowell; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Broken Bow Records
– It’s a country vocal. The track takes you on a rapid-beats disco trip. Electronic loops and chattering percussion stir the stew. His sampled vocal repeats the hooks. The artist does late-night “club sets” for dancers at his shows, hence this release.

WILL JONES / “Lonesome Dove”
Writers: Will Jones/Davis Corley/Lee Starr/Dan Wilson; Producers: Cliff Audretch & Rob McNelley; Label: Lady Luck Songs/Blue Harbor Music
– Eloquent and extraordinary. A listening experience that stopped me in my tracks. The ballad is beautifully written, and his vocal performance is Country Heaven. Plucked guitar strings and sighing steel frame a lyric about man feeling sorry for a lonely lady sitting in the corner. Stop what you are doing and lend this your ears.

RILEY GREEN & ELLA LANGLEY / “Don’t Mind If I Do”
Writer: Riley Green; Producer: Dann Huff, Scott Borchetta & Jimmy Harnen; Label: Nashville Harbor
– The “You Look Like You Love Me” team returns with a lovelorn ballad that aches with yearning. Green carries the song, then Langley floats in with her harmonies and a gentle, haunting finale. Sublime listening.

JOY OLADOKUN / “I’d Miss the Birds”
Writer: Olubukola Oladokun; Producer: Joy Oladokun; Label: Amigo Records/Verve Forecast/Republic Records
– Her current album, Observations From a Crowded Room, contains this contemplative folk-country ode that sounds like she’s thinking about leaving town and finding peace in the countryside. “The Proud Boys and their women” have tainted the Nashville scene for Joy. Originally issued late last year, the track now has an updated post.

CAM / “Everblue”
Writers: Cameron Ochs/Gregory Aldae Hein/Tyler Johnson; Producer: Tyler Johnson; Label: RCA
– “I never knew evergreen could turn to everblue,” she intones in this acoustic soprano ballad. She describes the heavy-hearted performance as “peak sad girl.” Yes, but very pretty sounding.

BIGG VINNY / “WalMart Drip”
Writers: Vencent Hickerson/Ken Harrell/Jenny Goforth Hickerson; Producer: Marc Fortney (BUTTER); Label: Nashville Universe
– Remember this guy from The Trailer Choir? For starters, he’s not so “Bigg” anymore, having shed hundreds of pounds on NBC’s The Biggest Loser. This solo, hip-hoppy outing is a boatload of goofy fun in praise of being clothed by Walmart during a shopping spree. The video is a hoot. Find Vinny for the next three days (10th, 11th, 12th) as he entertains at Shiners in the old Woolworth store.

CHRIS YOUNG / “I Didn’t Come Here to Leave”
Writers: Chris Young/Kyle Fishman/Dallas Davidson; Producers: Chris Young & Andy Sheridan; Label: Black River Entertainment
– The title tune of Young’s forthcoming (October) album is a breezy bopper. He vows that he’s not quitting when the bar says it’s 2 a.m. closing time. He’s gonna drink and sing and party on. This guy is always a dependable hit maker.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Sorryville”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Jimi Bell/Joe Fox/Seth Ennis; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– He’s in Sorryville because his gal has gone. The verses on this midtempo barroom weeper are cool, but the mood is ruined by the overproduced choruses.

BRETT YOUNG / “You Still Got It”
Writers: Brett Young/Justin Wilson/Dave Pittenger; Producer: Jimmy Robbins; Label: Nashville Harbor
– She has his old clothes and other stuff. All he wants back is his heart. Well written and produced with propulsive panache. Wooshing electronics frame his expressive vocal. Arguably his finest performance yet.

LANCE COWAN / “Against the Grain”
Writers: Lance Cowan/Sam Gay; Producers: Jason Stelluto & Scott Paschall; Label: Lantzapalooza Muzik/Orchard
– The captain builds his own boat and dreams of life on the water. Cowan’s skill as a storyteller is on full display on his current collection. This title tune ripples with folkie pleasure. The troubadour did a fine job during his WMOT appearance a few days ago to promote this worthy song set.

KETCH SECOR / “Catch Me If You Can”
Writers: Jody Stevens/Ketch Secor; Producer: none listed; Label: Ketch Secor
– Secor’s debut solo album drops tomorrow. Titled Story the Crow Told Me, it finds the Old Crow Medicine Show leader and “Wagon Wheel” creator in a different audio zone than the string-band mode we are used to hearing by him. For instance, this emphasis track is a full contemporary-country production. Electric guitars and harmonica back him on the rambling-man ode. Refreshingly different.