Maggie Rose. Photo: Dusty Barker

We’ll be hearing a lot of new songs during these next few days of the CMA Music Festival. Here are the 10 that wound up on my fiesta playlist.

The Disc of the Day turns out to be a contest among powerful female voices. The new sounds by Martina McBride, Maggie Rose and Maren Morris are all worth your attention. They pretty much finished in a dead heat, so I’m going with the indie underdog, Maggie Rose.

There was not as much competition for the DisCovery Award. Multi-talented Hudson Moore pretty much nailed that one down, with The Last Bandoleros snapping at his heels.

Maren Morris

MAREN MORRIS/Rich
Writers: Maren Morris/Jesse Jo Dillon/Laura Veltz; Producers: busbee & Maren Morris; Publishers: International Dog Music/Nettwerk One B Music/Revelry Music/Jay Gatsby Music/Warner-Tamerlane/Oh Denise Publishing/Big Music Machine; BMI; Columbia Nashville
-If you pre-ordered Maren’s new Hero CD, you got this track as an early taste. It’s a stomping female “attitude” tune about having a dime for every time he made her feel cheap with his lies. This lady has some serious vocal firepower.

THE LAST BANDOLEROS/Where Do You Go?
Writers: Jerry Fuentes/Emilio Navaira/Derek James/Diego Navaira; Producer: Jerry Fuentes; Publishers: Aboretum/Melt My Mind/Kobalt/Kickin’ed/Derek James Breslow/Derek James/Dayside, ASCAP; Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville
-A rollicking Tex-Mex beat drives this relentlessly forward while flecks of squeezebox notes dance in and out of the mix. The vocals are wrapped in smooth-as-silk harmonies as they complain about being left by a hot honey. Super hooky. The song is cowritten by the late Tejano superstar Emilio and his son Diego, who is a member of this fresh-sounding band.

MAGGIE ROSE/Same Sky
Writers: Maggie Rose/Alex Kline/Jason Saenz; Producer: Maggie Rose & Alex Kline; Publishers: none listed; Play It Again
-I like this sleek, feisty gal. So do Tim McGraw and Lee Brice, who have her opening their road shows. This juicy, pop-inflected slab of sound lets her personality-packed voice fly high and free while drums and guitars crunch with oomph beneath her. A great listening experience.

THOMAS RHETT/Vacation
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Thomas Allen/Harold Brown/Morris Dickerson/Sean Douglas/Gerry Goldstein/Leroy Jordan/Charles Miller/Lee Osker/Andreas Schuller/Howard Scott/Joe Spargur/Eric Frederic/John Ryan; Dann Huff & Jesse Frasure; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Sony-ATV/BMG Gold/Far Out/Warner-Tamerlane/Eastman Pond/Frederic & Reid/Songs From the Boardwalk/BMG Platinum/The Family Songbook/Music of Big Deal/Bob Erotik/Artist 101/The Viking Pimp/Honua/Nice Life, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music Co.
-The classic rock sounds of War meet bro country. The message? “Hey, let’s party like we on vacation.” Catchy, if not particularly deep.

THE DANBERRYS/Lady Belle
Writer: Dorothy Daniel; Producer: Ethan Ballinger; Publisher: none listed; Danberrys
-On the acoustic, folksy side of things, this ballad is carried by strumming guitar, heartbeat bass, weaving fiddle notes and a wafting soprano vocal. It’s all a little too “pretty” for my taste.

MARTINA McBRIDE/Just Around the Corner
Writers: Cary Barlowe/Sarah Buxton/Sam Ellis; Producers: Dann Huff, Nathan Chapman & Martina McBride; Publishers: Castle Bound/We Be Pawtying/Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud/Bux Tone/Universal, SESAC/BMI; Nash Icon
-The second single from Martina’s superb Reckless collection is about holding onto hope when you’re at your lowest. The power ballad throbs with intense conviction in the throat of this sublime vocalist. Echoey touches in the production are wonderfully ear catching, as well.

Martina McBride. Photo: Joseph Llanes

MADISON STATION/Back in the Day
Writers: Todd Anderson/Craig Anderson/Quinn Loggins/Lisa McCallum; Producer: Todd Anderson, Craig Anderson & Bart Busch; Publishers: Anderson Boyz/Wanted Woman/BMG, BMI/ASCAP/SOCAN; ABM Music (CDX)
-This slams right into a rock mode from the opening notes. The nostalgic song is pretty cool, but this band needs a lead singer with more charisma.

VINCE HATFIELD/The Okie From Muskogee’s Headed Home
Writer: Vince Hatfield; Producer: Vince Hatfield; Publisher: Sharp Image, BMI; Blue Moon (CDX)
-We all miss Merle mightily. Hatfield tries to evoke him with a studied honky-tonk vocal, some Strangers-style instrumental picking and name-dropping song titles like “Silver Wings,” “If We Make It Through December,” “Mama’ Hungry Eyes,” “Movin’ On” and “Lonesome Fugitive.”

BRAD PUCKETT/Start Your Engines
Writer: Brad Puckett; Producers: Buddy Hyatt & Brad Puckett; Publisher: BPM, no performance rights listed; Phoenix (CDX)
-The track rocks. So does his vocal … until he gets to the choruses. Instead of taking off, his performance kinda just lays there.

HUDSON MOORE/Some Are
Writers: Hudson Moore/Lance Carpenter/Phillip Pence: Producers: Dwight A. Baker & Hudson Moore; Publisher: none listed; Moorejamz LLC
-It says here that he’s playing all the instruments on his Getaway CD (out June 17), and all but one of its tunes are co-written by him. Plus, he co-produced it. The single is a super tuneful, big-time catchy and sung with youthful verve. This is a sound for summer if I’ve ever heard one. Lend him your ears.

I’m running late this week, so let me be brief. Without question, Chris Young has the Disc of the Day.

I’d give the great Wes Hightower a DisCovery Award if he wasn’t so super well known as a studio ace. So the promising-sounding Drew Baldridge gets the nod.

SCOTT BRANTLEY/How Summer Goes
Writers: Scott Brantley/Derrick Hampton; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Studio Gold, BMI/ASCAP
-Very classy. He sings great. The song is put together well. The production swirls invitingly. Definitely worth your spins.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Wanna Be That Song
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Ross Copperman/Scooter Carusoe; Producers: Ross Copperman & Brett Eldredge; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Paris Not France/EMI Blackwood/Songs By Red Room/Scrambler/Abbots Creek Music Two, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
– The magic power of music. Brett’s best yet.

REBEKAH LONG/Ain’t Life Sweet
Writers: Rebekah Long/Donna Ulisse/Rick Stanley; Producer: Donna Ulise; Publishers: Lotta LUK/Uncle Hadley/Pop ‘N Paw, ASCAP; LUK
– She sounds like she doesn’t have a lot of lung power on this bluegrass ditty. The harmony singers help her out.

CHRIS YOUNG/Sober Saturday Night
Writers: Chris Young/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producers: Corey Crowder/Chris Young; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Goodbye Pants/Sagequinnjude/Famlove/Sony-ATV, BMI; RCA (track)
– This man sings so wonderfully. On this power ballad, he gives a chesty shout to a heartache lyric. Vince Gill provides harmony vocal support.

DOLLY SHINE/Rattlesnake
Writer: Zack McGinn; Producers: Josh Serrato & Ben Hussey; Publishers: none listed; Vision/Thirty Tigers
– Just to be clear, there are no women in this Texas band. And certainly none named “Dolly.” There is, however, plenty of macho snarl in this atmospheric country rocker.

CHUBBY CHECKER/Lookin’ For Me
Writers: Chubby Checker/Gary Lefkowith/Mike Rogers; Producers: The Hill & HiFi; Publishers: CC/Sotto/Wax, ASCAP/BMI; TEEC
-It’s not “twist again, like we did last summer.” No, indeed. Chubby goes country with an acoustic, bluegrassy toe tapper embellished by fiddle and steel licks. It is wildly hooky and catchy. Play it.

DREW BALDRIDGE/Dance With Ya
Writers: none listed; Producer: Josh Leo; Publishers: none listed; Cold River (track)
– I like his voice. It’s strong and true. The bright horn bursts give the production some r&b oomph. The song is upbeat and all-the-way fun. Highly recommended.

RAY JOHNSTON BAND/Make Mine A Double
Writers: Steve Auburn/Hunter Hutchinson/Ray Johnston; Producer: Erik Herbst; Publishers: none listed; RJB (track)
– He’s from Texas. He can hardly sing. The band is sloppy.

WES HIGHTOWER/I’m Expecting Some Good News
Writers: Tom Shapiro/Wes Hightower; Producers: Jimmy Ritchey/Wes Hightower; Publishers: none listed; On The Boat (track)
– For those of you who read album credits, this man’s name will be instantly recognizable. He’s sung background vocals for every superstar in country music. He also writes songs, as his new Good News CD abundantly illustrates. This lead off track brilliantly showcases his winning way with a melody. It goes without saying that his vocal performance is flawless. And need I add that his studio reputation attracts an A-list cast of supporting musicians? Let me just say this: If I could be anybody in this industry, it would be Wes Hightower.

Chris Stapleton

There are lots of stars in the mix today, but they’re not always the artists who shine brightest.

Josh Turner, Alabama, the red-hot Cole Swindell and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott are all here with new discs. But the sound that stopped me in my tracks was by a newcomer. Louisiana-bred James Dupré submitted a minor masterpiece titled “Stoned to Death” and completely captivated me. Give that man an easily won DisCovery Award.

There’s one other red-hot star with a new offering today. That would be the mighty Chris Stapleton who far surpasses his peers and wins a Disc of the Day prize for “Parachute.”

COLE SWINDELL/Middle Of A Memory
Writers: Cole Swindell/Ashley Gorley/Zach Crowell; Producer: Michael Carter; Publishers: Sonuy-ATV Tree/Colden Rainey/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB/External Combustion/Atlas/Songs of Southside Independent/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– His raspy delivery works well on this saga of a frustrated, foiled budding relationship. Michael Carter’s echoey electronic production touches are also pluses.

James Dupré

JAMES DUPRÉ/Stoned To Death
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Jeff Hyde/Clint Daniels; Producer: Jordan Lehning; Publishers: none listed; Purfectt Pitch
– The title tune of Dupré’s upcoming album can be previewed on his website. And I urge you to do so. This is a singer who exudes charisma with every note. The song is stupendously well-written, boasting both perfectly executed turns of phrases and a beautifully swelling melody. Lehning’s slowly building production bonfire is magnificent. Sign me up for the fan club. Now.

CHRIS STAPLETON/Parachute
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Jim Beavers; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publishers: none listed; Mercury (track)
– The heartbeat rhythm grabs you by the chest and doesn’t let go. Stapleton’s shouted, soulful delivery blazes like a fire iron. This is torrid, torrid stuff. Let it burn, baby, burn.

ALABAMA/Come Find Me
Writers: Tony Lane/David Lee; Producers: Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry & Randy Owen; Publishers: BMG Gold/We Jam Writers Group/Mood Merchant/4 Cow Ranch/Banz, BMI; BMG (CDX)
– It’s a quiet ballad about a road-weary musician. Randy Owen delivers it in an understated hush. It’s quite emotionally affecting.

JOSH TURNER/Hometown Girl
Writers: Marc Beeson/Daniel Tashian; Producer: Kenny Greenberg; Publishers: Downtown DLJ/Son of a Ron/Diver Dann/International Dog, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville
– This sweet, airy rural portrait fits Turner like a glove. Not surprisingly, guitarist Greenberg produces it with plenty of electric-guitar flourishes.

GLENNA BELL/Tonight’s The Night
Writer: Glenna Bell; Producer: Mark Abernathy; Publisher: Glenna Bell, ASCAP; GB (track)
– Texas favorite Bell has a throaty, distinctive vocal style. Her records always perk up my ears. This outing is about young lovers graduating from high school. She recalls their courtship and vows to go all the way on their big night. I hung on every word. Her new collection is aptly titled Lone Star Songs and Stories Straight From the Heart of Texas.

HILLARY SCOTT & THE SCOTT FAMILY/Thy Will
Writers: Hillary Scott/Emily Weisband/Bernie Herms; Producers: Bernie Herms/Ricky Skaggs; Publishers: W.B.M./EKT/WB/Thankful For This/Songs of Universal/G650, SESAC/ASCAP/BMI; EMI (CDX)
– It’s very pretty. But is a hymn-like ballad swimming in strings going to fit summer playlists?

AMY BLACK/You Gotta Move
Writer: traditional; Producer: Lex Price; Publishers: public domain; RR (track)
– Massachusetts native Black might seem an odd fit for a themed collection called The Muscle Shoals Sessions. She tackles songs by Sam Cooke, Arthur Alexander, Don Covay, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, as well as some originals. This traditional spiritual puts the spotlight on her confident alto singing. Guess what? She pulls it off.

BRIAN PHARAOH/Sorry
Writers: Brian Pharaoh/Bill DiLuigi; Producer: Kent Wells: Publishers: none listed; Spunkem
– Words were spoken. She left. But he’s not sorry, because he’s a redneck babe magnet. If you say so.

SHANE OWENS/Country Never Goes Out Of Style
Writers: Galen Griffin/Jason Patrick Matthews/Kerry Kurt Phillips; Producer: James Stroud: Publishers: Galen Griffin/EMI April/Songfighter/Dixie Stars, BMI/ASCAP; AmeriMonte (CDX)
– Shane strikes again with his uber cool, note-bending vocals. The gently swaying tune is like a hammock in a spring breeze. And you can bet this pluperfect country stylist means every word of the lyric.

Sturgill Simpson

Americana music covers a whole lot of ground, which today’s stroll through Americanaland proves.

We have everything from the jazz-blues A.J. Croce to the pop of Blue Sky Riders, from the folk of Mary Chapin Carpenter to the rock of Hard Working Americans.

Both of our spotlight records lean toward the country side of things. The Disc of the Day award belongs to the justly heralded Sturgill Simpson.

The Discovery Award goes to Clark Paterson. He has two previous EP’s, and now comes his first full album. He won’t win any prizes as a singer, but he scores big points for songwriting prowess and on-disc raw charisma.

WILD PONIES/Love Is Not A Sin
Writers: Doug & Telisha Williams; Producer: Tres Sasser; Publishers: Bully Goose/American Echo, BMI/SESAC; No Evil (track)
– Fronted by Doug and Telisha Williams, this band has a spare sound dominated by his guitar and her bass. Multi-instrumentalist Fats Kaplan adds other textures. The singing—whether it’s her solo or as a duo—is right on the money, and the songs are sturdy and true. Slated for a May 13 release, the new album is titled Radiant. It’s an alt-country ride.

A.J. CROCE/If You Want Me To Stay
Writers: Sylvester Stewart; Producer: Jim Keitner; Publisher: Mijac/Sony-ATV, BMI; Compass (track)
-Croce’s album That’s Me in the Bar launched him into prominence 20 years ago. Compass Records is celebrating its anniversary by reissuing it and adding this bonus track. His natural jazz/blues vocal phrasing suits the 1973 Sly & The Family Stone classic perfectly. The album’s impressive cast includes Billy Payne of Little Feat, Robben Ford, Ry Cooder, Jonell Mosser, Flea of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. By the way, A.J. Croce is the son of the late singer-songwriter Jim Croce.

STURGILL SIMPSON/In Bloom
Writer: Kurt Cobain; Producer: Sturgill Simpson; Publishers: The End of Music/BMG Rights Management/Silver Songs, SESAC; Atlantic (track)
-Simpson’s just-released A Sailor’s Guide to Earth is already a contender for Americana Album of the Year. This echoey, melodic Nirvana cover contrasts his country baritone with strings, steel, horns (by The Dap Kings) and spacey atmospherics. It’s all pretty darn dreamy. Apart from this track, the album is totally solo written and produced by the artist. A home run.

R.J. COMER/Nightly Suicide
Writer: R.J. Comer; Producer: Jef Scott; Publishers: Entered Apprentice, no performance rights listed; AJC (track)
– This is just about as gritty as it gets. The title tune of Los Angeleno Comer’s collection is a barroom lament with drinks lined up for hours and hours. A steady, slamming beat and grinding electric guitar slashes punctuate his dour, doomy baritone vocal drone. The new album’s almost-as-dire “The Moon Ain’t Fallen on Me Yet” has a music video.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER/Something Tamed Something Wild
Writers: Mary Chapin Carpenter; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Why Walk, ASCAP; Lambent Light
– This rippling acoustic track kicks off her new CD The Things That We Are Made Of. Her liquid alto has never sounded more enchanting.

JEFFERSON GRIZZARD/Daydream of Hope
Writer: Jefferson Grizzard; Producer: Ben McRee; Publisher: Back Porch Syndicate, BMI; Back Porch
– The title tune of this Georgia-based troubadour’s latest is pretty slow going, with his nearly naked vocal grappling with existence. Elsewhere on the CD you’ll find a solid group of Music Row session aces backing his rocking ruminations.

BLUE SKY RIDERS/Why Not
Writers: Blue Sky Riders; Producer: Blue Sky Riders; Publishers: Blue Sky Riders/Adave/Slattery Songs, ASCAP/SESAC; 3Dream (track)
-This trio—Kenny Loggins, Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman—had the most refreshing new sound of 2013. Its sophomore CD is just as gorgeous. On the bopping title tune, Georgia takes a sprightly lead vocal. All the tracks are dandy, but the rollicking “I’m Lucky Like That,” led by Kenny, is especially catchy. This is joyous music that will be in my speakers for months and months to come.

CLARK PATERSON/Sweet Baby
Writers: Clark Paterson/Mark Cline Bates; Producers: Eric McConnell/Clark Paterson; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; CP (track)
– Paterson’s album is titled The Final Tradition. It includes this jaunty, romping ditty with plinky, plunky steel guitar accompaniment and a wildly clever, quasi-spoken, “talking blues” vocal. Guaranteed to make you smile. Also check out “Hillbilly Shit.” That’s Tim Carroll on electric guitar, incidentally. East Nashvillian Paterson plays a 6 p.m. show at Fond Object on Saturday, May 14. Be there or be square.

HARD WORKING AMERICANS/Opening Statement
Writers: Hard Working Americans; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Shad N Froyd A/Ow My Eye/Grand Island/Bavarian Bombshell/Willy Briar/Eyelid Sky, BMI/ASCAP; Melvin/Thirty Tigers (track)
– Todd Snider and company return next month with their Rest In Chaos third CD. But you can get an advance listen to this track from it on the band’s website. It’s a thumping, echo-soaked outing with a dry, conversational vocal about a losing lover’s journey. Neal Casal’s guitar solo is totally cool.

JANE KRAMER/Carnival Of Hopes
Writer: Jane Kramer; Producer: Adam Johnson; Publisher: Famous Brown Boots, ASCAP; JK (track)
– Her soprano has an ache and a break that are appealing. The title tune of her album is “folk” in all the right ways, with light acoustic instrumentation and a charming melody. She hails from Asheville, North Carolina, and you can hear misty mountains in her sound.