DISClaimer: A Day For Duos

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florida georgia line11

Florida Georgia Line


It’s a day for duos.
Three of the best singles in this stack of platters come from duet teams. They are The Swon Brothers, newcomers Haley & Michaels and our Disc of the Day winners, Florida Georgia Line.
It’s the time of the year when country stars rush out new tunes in anticipation of the holiday buying season. In this column, that means folks like Rodney Atkins, Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson and Justin Moore.
I know I’m tardy with this, but I would be remiss if I didn’t give Sam Hunt a DisCovery Award and good wishes for a long and happy tenure as a country record maker.
BIG & RICH/Look at You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big & Rich
-Listenable and pleasant. But the repetitive song is just barely there, and the production is never anything more than background noise.
THE SWON BROTHERS/Pray For You
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Tommy Lee James/Eric Paslay; Producers: Mark Bright & The Swon Brothers; Publishers: Party of Five/Kobalt/BMG Platinum/Once in a Blue Moon/Cal IV/Five Stone, ASCAP/BMI; Arista Nashville
-Wow. What a great song, what a thrilling production and what a powerful performance. Unlike so many, these boys perform as a true, harmonizing duo. In fact, they sing their faces off. The song of love and acceptance in times of trial is a healing balm. The track cooks with gas.
WILLIE NELSON/The Wall
Writers: Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Act Five/Run Slow/BMG, BMI/ASCAP; Legacy (track)
-He makes so many albums that it’s easy to miss the reality that Band of Brothers is one of the finest country records of 2014. When was the last time we had nine new Willie songs? The five covers come from such master craftsmen as Bill Anderson, Vince Gill and Billy Joe Shaver. Jamey Johnson drops by for a duet. Buddy Cannon’s production returns the legend to the country-music mainstream. This single finds our hero singing of being down but far from out as the loping track gently moves him across the prairie. The collection is available on vinyl. Buy it.
LUKE BRYAN/I See You
Writers: Luke Bryan/Ashley Gorley/Luke Laird; Producer: Jeff Stevens/Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/Songs of Southside Independent/Out of the Taperoom/External Combustion, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
-The sixth single from Crash My Party is about being haunted by a past lover. It has a really cool, quavering electric-guitar sound and a strong performance in the star’s upper vocal register.
sam hunt11

Sam Hunt


SAM HUNT/Leave The Night On
Writers: Hunt/Osborne/McAnally; Producers: Zach Crowell/Shane McAnally; Publishers: none listed; MCA Nashville
-This overnight star has already sold more than 500,000 digital copies of this, and it’s still climbing on the Billboard chart. The appeal is its almost-nervous rhythm track backing a yearning nighttime invitation, not to mention his earnest, sincere delivery.
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Sun Daze
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Sarah Buxton; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Castle Bound/We Be Pawtying/Rio Bravo/Big Red Toe/Bux Tone/Big Loud Mountain/T Hubb/Pranch Ringle/Big Loud Bucks, SESAC/BMI; Republic Nashville
-It might be fall, but these boys are still into summer relaxation. This sunny bopper — complete with whistling — is so ridiculously catchy it’s impossible to resist. I predict massive spins.
JO DEE MESSINA/He’s Messed Up
Writers: Jo Dee Messina/Alyssa Bonagura; Producers: Jo Dee Messina/Julian King; Publishers: Dreambound/Almo/Alright Love/My Plum, ASCAP; Dreambound
-Messina’s current CD, titled Me, is a highlight of her career. Full of wit, verve and lively musicality, it also spotlights her blossoming as a songwriter. Its third single is a stomper about a guy who’s not a keeper, sung as a sister-to-sister piece of advice. A winner.
JUSTIN MOORE/This Kind of Town
Writers: Andrew Dorff/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Endorffin/Big Loud Songs/Big Loud Bucks/Play Animal, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
-The sentiment is sweet, but the record is dull and lifeless.
HALEY & MICHAELS/Just Another Love Song
Writers: Shannon Haley/Ryan Michaels/Richie McDonald; Producers: Kyle Jacobs/Matt McDonald; Publishers: none listed
-The tempo chugs along splendidly. They harmonize perfectly on the rocking choruses. I probably couldn’t pick either one of these voices out of a lineup, but in this case the whole is definitely more than the sum of its parts. The song has a very cool passage where its melody is sung while simultaneously quoting from Lonestar’s “Amazed.” Essential listening.
RODNEY ATKINS/Eat, Sleep, Love You, Repeat
Writers: Ryan Bizarri/Walker Hayes; Producers: Ted Hewitt/Rodney Atkins; Publishers: Live and Breathe/Tazmaraz/Zavittson, ASCAP/BMI; Curb
-This is a funky, drawling little thang with a dandy backbeat, hand claps, whoa-o background chanting and super-clever lyrics. I believe I hear a hit.

DISClaimer: Songs That Last

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eric church 2014 by john peets slider

Disc of the Day winner Eric Church. Photo: John Peets


Competence is not greatness.
Half of what we have here is competent work by journeymen Music Row songwriters who made businesslike appointments to “create.” From them come bland, radio-wallpaper songs put together by committee. Many of them will be hits, but probably none of them will be remembered 10 or even five years from now.
The other half of these discs have songs that stick in your brain long after their final notes have sounded. They are Josh Turner’s “Lay Low,” Eric Church’s “Talladega,” Bernie Nelson’s “Lonelyville” and Angaleena Presley’s “American Middle Class,” plus a new contribution to country’s drinking-song tradition from Cole Swindell.
It is from this talent pool that we draw this week’s award winners. Eric Church has the Disc of the Day. And Angaleena Presley wins the DisCovery Award.
COLE SWINDELL/Ain’t Worth The Whiskey
Writers: Cole Swindell/Adam Sanders/Josh Martin; Producer: Michael Carter; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Year of the Dog/Josh Martin, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Warner Bros.
-A new classic drinking song is born. Bottoms up.
BERNIE NELSON/Lonelyville
Writers: Bernie Nelson/Steve Hemp; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Dumpster Diver/Hemptones, ASCAP; If I Know Blue
-Sung with immense heart, produced to punchy perfection and written like a mini masterpiece. He implores her to accompany him in escaping “Lonelyville,” where they put “rust on your dreams and dust on your heart.” If this isn’t a smash for him, somebody else ought to record it pronto. The next Springsteen, perhaps?
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Freestyle
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Shane McAnally; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Lady Antebellum; Publishers: Beards and Bullets/30A Getaway/Hobbs Hill/Kobalt/Universal/Smack Ink, ASCAP/SESAC; Capitol (CDX)
-Not as melodic as we have come to expect from these folks. Instead, there’s a lot of lyric babbling and choppy rhythm. Disappointing, if energetic.
SARA EVANS/Put My Heart Down
Writers: Nathan Chapman/Andrew Dorff/Elizabeth Huett; Producers: Mark Bright/Sara Evans; Publishers: none listed, BMI; RCA (CDX)
-Feminine and brightly listenable. Her best in quite some time.
angaleena presley album 2014

DisCovery Award winner Angaleena Presley


BILLY CURRINGTON/Don’t It
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Ashley Gorley/Ross Copperman; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Highly Combustible/Sadler’s Favorite/WB/EMI Blackwood/Songs By the Red Room, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
-It is somewhat wordy, but Currington’s effortlessly smooth, warmly personal and highly accomplished vocal draws you in and sells it. Solid and hit bound.
DAVID SHELBY/Podunk
Writers: Ozier/Haselden/Hayes; Producers: Teddy Gentry/Charles English; Publishers: Tazmaraz, BMI; Highway South
-It’s a new song, but it has so many cliches you’ll think you’ve heard it before.
GLORIANA/Trouble
Writers: Rachel Reinert/Mike Gossin/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/GFY/MG1984/Songs By Red Room/EMI April/Jon Nite, BMI/ASCAP; Emblem/Warner
-There already is a Little Big Town. And they’re a lot better than this.
ANGALEENA PRESLEY/American Middle Class
Writers: Angaleena Presley; Producers: Angaleena Presley/Jordan Powell; Publishers: Ten Ten, ASCAP; Slate Creek (track)
-“Holler Annie” from The Pistol Annies has her own CD at last. Its title tune is a thumping, slapping, snappy salute to the poor and hard-working folks who are the backbone of this country. You tell ‘em, lady.
ERIC CHURCH/Talladega
Writers: Eric Church/Luke Laird; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Longer and Louder/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin, BMI; EMI (track)
-From the first moment I heard the Outsiders CD, this was my pick to click as a single. You can practically touch its nostalgia for lost youth, boyhood friendships and faded innocence. I’ve always been in the congregation of this Church.
JOSH TURNER/Lay Low
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MCA (ERG)
-This is a wonderfully addictive single, and I totally applaud its sentiment. He yearns to go someplace out of cellphone range, celebrate nature and rediscover his beloved. Listen to this man and his seductive song. Then go unplug yourself, for a change.

DISClaimer: An Industry In Need of More Second Chances

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shotgun rider1If you ask me, the country-music industry could use a lot more second chances. Take Tim McGraw. He is experiencing a welcome career-uptick now that he has been energized by a new record label. He also has this week’s Disc of the Day with the irresistible “Shotgun Rider.”
If Brian Pounds sounds a little familiar, maybe you were watching Season 5 of The Voice in 2013. He was on Team Blake, but was eliminated. His just-released CD gives him a new lease on life and earns him a DisCovery Award.
BRIAN POUNDS/Somewhere, Maybe Carolina
Writers: Brian Pounds; Producer: Brian Douglas Phillips; Publisher: none listed; BPSG (track)
-Now here’s an outstanding find. Not only does this guy sing like a bird, his lilting, melodic composition soars right into your heart and, for a change, his Texas record production sounds as fully realized as anything Nashville has to offer. Pounds’ five-song EP is titled Strikes and Gutters. Be the first on your block to own a copy.
ALABAMA/The Last Altar Call
Writers: Jeff Cook/Tony Nichols; Producer: Alabama; Publishers: Whispering Cougar, BMI; Cracker Barrel
-Alabama’s new gospel collection contains three tracks that are exclusive to Cracker Barrel. This waltz is the most ear opening, for it has a heartfelt lead vocal by Jeff instead of Randy. Refreshingly different.
WADE BOWEN/When I Woke Up Today
Writers: none listed; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publishers: none listed; AMP (track)
-The album doesn’t come out until Oct. 28, but this jangly, jaunty country-rock single is out now. It is sung with enormous verve. Just as important, it boasts an excellent lyric as well as a catchy tempo. Recommended.

Brian Pounds

Brian Pounds


TIM McGRAW/Shotgun Rider
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Marv Green/Troy Verges; Producers: Byron Gallimore/Tim McGraw; Publishers: Hillarody Rathbone/BMG/Warner-Tamerlane/The Good The Bad The Ugly/Goes Something Like This/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (track)
-Summer might be coming to an end, but this is still a perfect roll-the-top-down and take-to-the-highway song. A single with its own built-in breeze. The electric guitar leads and fills by Michael Landau, David Lavita and producer Byron Gallimore are delightfully ear tickling.
DERIK HULTQUIST/For The Good of the Rose
Writers: Derik Hultquist; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Scrambler/Carnival; ASCAP
-Subtle, poetic, artistic and a little verbose, with just the tiniest hint of a chorus. He definitely has troubadour blood in his veins.
JASON ALDEAN/Burnin’ It Down
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Brian Kelley/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-It has more production layers than most of his singles. Which would be okay if the song was comparably complex instead of monotonous.
NATALIE STOVALL & THE DRIVE/Mason Jar
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; HitShop (ERG)
-Youthful and rocking. They have sometimes sounded a little over the top, but this time out, the merry, sunny tone is pitched just right.
JON BYRD/In The Back of Your Mind
Writers: Mando Saenz/Will Kimbrough; Producer: Jon Byrd/Thomm Jutz; Publishers: none listed; Longleaf Pine
-I have liked the work of this plainspoken, down-home country stylist in the past. His new CD, Route 41, contains songs by writers he has encountered in both Atlanta and in Nashville. This moody, downbeat ballad has a definite Music City pedigree.
KELLEIGH BANNEN/You Are What You Love
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; EMI (ERG)
-Sprightly and enjoyable. It won’t exactly change your life, but it might make you smile for three minutes and 16 seconds.
LOUISIANA SWAMP DONKY/Redneck Revival
Writers: none listed; Producer: Richard Young; Publishers: Bugmusic, ASCAP; LSD (track)
-Produced by Richard Young of The Kentucky HeadHunters, these four dudes attack a song like whiskey-ripped barroom brawlers. As you might expect by the title, there’s plenty of electric guitar screaming, drum pounding and growling Bocephus/Dixie vocal attitude. And, yes, that is the way they spell “donky.”

DISClaimer: Dierks Bentley and a String of Newcomers

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Dierks Bentley Say You Do

Dierks Bentley


I always like it when there are plenty of newcomers in the week’s stack of platters.
It gives me comfort to know that country remains the music of choice for so many wanna-be’s. Today, we have a female, a duo and two bands in the running for the DisCovery Award. The groups are The Railers and The Washers. The lady is Abbi Walker. The winning act is the duo, Two Way Crossing. There’s just something so fresh and innocent and endearing in their approach. Welcome to the party.
Reliable hit maker Dierks Bentley can rock with the best of them. But today he is gently persuasive with the intimacy of “Say You Do.” It earns him a Disc of the Day salute.
ABBI WALKER/Southern Soul
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; AW
-This sassy country-rocker stomps along with swagger, confidence and attitude. Dig that deep bass thudding. Very promising.
DIERKS BENTLEY/Say You Do
Writers: Matt Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publishers: Sonic Geo/Calhoun Enterprises/Music of RPM/HoriPro/Universal/Smack Ink/ReHits/Smacktown/Smack Blue, ASCAP; Capitol (track)
-Go ahead and lie to him. Go ahead and wreck his bed. How could any gal resist an invitation wrapped up in such a sensuous sound? Beautifully produced and sung.
THE WASHERS/Pennies
Writer: Todd Jank; Producer: Adam Odor; Publishers: none listed; Washers
-The lead singer lacks charisma, but the band plays well and the song is a winner.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Shake It Off
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine (ERG)
-It’s extremely catchy and delightfully bopping. The gently honking sax and the white-girl rapping in the middle are the biggest changes of pace from her “country” sound.
Two Way Crossing

Two Way Crossing


SI KAHN/Mountain Polley
Writers: Si Kahn; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Joe Hill, ASCAP; SK
-The tailings dam break at the Mount Polley copper mine in British Columbia last month caused the largest toxic waste spill in Canadian history. Veteran North Carolina folk singer Si Kahn revives the age-old country tradition of topical songs by releasing this environmental-poisoning tale laced with lively guitar, mandolin and banjo picking. Hearty sounding.
JO DEE MESSINA/Not Dead Yet
Writers: Jo Dee Messina/Alyssa Bonagura; Producers: Jo Dee Messina/Julian King; Publishers: Dreambound/Almo/Alright Love!/My Plum, ASCAP; Dreambound
-Jo Dee Messina’s Kickstarter-funded CD titled Me contains some of the finest music of her career to date. This defiant, wailing lead-off track of the collection is its new single. Women and underdogs everywhere can pump their fists in celebration. Love it.
ERICA NICOLE/It’s Comin’ Down
Writers: Katrina Ruth Hasanoglu/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: EMI April/Songs of Countrywood; ASCAP; EN
-This kiss off tune promises to hit him like a wrecking ball and really hammer him down. The track rocks, and so does she.
BARBRA STREISAND & BLAKE SHELTON/I’d Want It To Be You
Writers: Steve Dorff/Bobby Tomberlin/Jay Landers; Producers: Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds & Walter Afanasieff; Publishers: Dorffmeister/Curb/Halaron/Wixen, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-Steisand’s new Partners CD is a collection of male duets. The diva chose Blake as the country representative on it. Her pop soprano circles, flutters and harmonizes with his sturdy drawling delivery surprisingly well. It helps that the ballad is flawlessly written. Well worth your attention.
TWO WAY CROSSING/Deep End
Writers: none listed; Producer: Steve Pasch; Publishers: none listed; TWC (track)
-Two Way Crossing is a male-female duo comprised of Jenny & Blake Marvin. This rhythm-happy single from its seven-song EP is a sprightly romance ditty with a built-in smile. Bright and joyous.
THE RAILERS/Kinda Dig the Feeling
Writers: Tom Douglas/Jaren Johnston/Tyler Bryant; Producer: Justin Niebank; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Texa Rae/Tomdouglasmusic/Tyler Bryant, no performance rights listed; Warner Bros.
-It’s a rapid-fire, almost nervous sounding toe-tapper about being completely dizzy in love. Prepare yourself for a highly energized, hyper listening experience.

DISClaimer: Male-Female Duos Find Musical Homes in Americana

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Grace and TonyIt’s Americana week here in Music City.
For some reason, this genre has lately been specializing in male-female duos. Perhaps in emulation of The Civil Wars, Shovels & Rope, Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Over the Rhine and the like, we have a plethora of such teams on tap today — Carolina Story, Grace & Tony, Danika Holmes & Jeb Hart and Hardin Burns.
One of them, Grace & Tony, wins the DisCovery Award. They are married Nashvillians, and their last name is White. He is the brother of John Paul White of the aforementioned Civil Wars. Grace plays banjo and mandolin and is influenced by bluegrass. Tony plays guitar and comes from a rock background. No wonder they sound so refreshingly different.
The Disc of the Day prize goes to the enduringly great Lucinda Williams.
JIM LAUDERDALE/The Day the Devil Changed
Writers: Jim Lauderdale; Producer: Jim Lauderdale; Publishers: Ginger Dragon/Bug, SESAC; Sky Crunch (track)
-Jim Lauderdale was making Americana music before the genre even had a name. Fittingly, the award-show host was the artist who christened this week. He did so with a Monday-morning preview (at SESAC) and a Monday-evening premiere (at Bongo Java) of a new documentary about him. That film, The King of Broken Hearts, features this dramatic ballad, as well as its already well known title tune. Both can also be found on his new, 20-track CD, I’m a Song. This performance vividly illustrates that country’s loss is Americana’s gain, for it is a masterfully mournful, honky-tonk moaner. The album also features duets with Lee Ann Womack, Patty Loveless and Buddy Miller. Let a word to the wise be sufficient.

Lucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams


LUCINDA WILLIAMS/Big Mess
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Highway 20 (track)
-If Lauderdale is the father of Americana, Lucinda Williams is the mother. She was the first artist created by the genre to earn a Gold Record, and she remains a touchstone troubadour for all who have followed her. Her next project is a double album titled Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone. It is due September 30, but you can preview this soul-soaked track on her website now. Bluesy, groovy and goose-bumpy, this is one righteous slab of sound.
DANIKA HOLMES & JEB HART/Black Swan
Writers: D. Holmes/J. Hart; Producer: Jeb Hart; Publishers: none listed; Red Schoolhouse
-She’s the singer, and he’s the dexterous acoustic guitarist in this charming, lo-fi folk duo. The song is catchy, and her singing style is ear tickling. Jeb also teaches music, and I can hear that he has a lot to offer.
THE LOUDERMILKS/Everybody Knows You
Writers: A. Edwards; Producer: The Edwards Brothers & The Loudermilks; Publishers: Alchamash, ASCAP; You Know What
-This acoustic band hails from North Carolina. Its debut CD features this tuneful, gently swaying ode to an admired one who can break your heart.
CAROLINA STORY/When I Was A Boy
Writers: Ben Roberts/Emily Roberts; Producer: Blake Chancey; Publisher: Stitched Together, BMI; True Bearing
-Ben and Emily Roberts are a Nashville couple who are balancing their career as traveling troubadours with the impending birth of their first child. That’s why this sweetly sung bit of parental advice is so timely. The extremely likable sound of Carolina Story debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in June. Congratulations to all “three” of you.
GRACE & TONY/November
Writers: Grace & Tony; Producer: Lloyd Aur Norman; Publishers: none listed; Rock Ridge (track)
-I like these folks. The duo’s songs are structured unusually, with checkerboard rhythm shifts and choruses sung with full-throated harmonies. The excellent production expertly mixes multiple percussion, steel, accordion, banjo, guitar, bass and even a dash of trumpet on one track. Different is good. Well worth your attention.
HARDIN BURNS/Down the Deep Well
Writers: Jeannie Burns/Andrew Hardin; Producer: Andrew Hardin & Gabriel Rhodes; Publishers: Jeannie Mary Rachel/Alligator Farm, BMI; Ithaca (track)
-Vocalist Jeannie Burns was previously in The Burns Sisters. Partner Andrew Hardin brings a Texas drawl to the proceedings, as well as sterling lead-guitar lines. On the title tune to their collection, they fret and worry over their mental states while a steady, relentless rhythm shoves them forward. Simple, yet enormously compelling.
DAVID G. SMITH/One House
Writers: David G. Smith; Producers: Blue Miller; Publishers: Alrose, BMI; DGS (track)
-The title song and first track on this Nashvillian’s CD expertly combines social commentary with a solid, bluesy groove. He pleads on behalf of the 99 percent of us for a world of peace, justice and stability. In addition to producer Blue Miller, the CD includes contributions from such talents as Jelly Roll Johnson, Larry Franklin, John Catchings and Mary Gauthier. Haunting sonics.
AMY BLACK/Alabama
Writers: Amy Black; Producer: Lex Price; Publishers: Got My Dime, SESAC; Reuben (track)
-With a sturdy harmony vocal by Will Kimbrough, this anthem to Dixie sounds like an instant classic. Amy’s This Is Home Nashville CD has been out for several months now, but singer-songwriters this solid are timeless.
BEN GLOVER/Oh Soul
Writers: Ben Glover/Mary Gauthier; Producer: Neilson Hubbard; Publishers: Carpe Vita Creative/Mary Gauthier, PRS/ASCAP; Carpe Vita Creative
-This Irish artist is now a Nashville resident. His fourth CD, titled Atlantic, features this lightly throbbing lament of a man who has lost his emotional compass. His soulful voice has just a touch of rasp, and he builds his song into a gospel-tinged epic with the help Lo Carter and April Rucker. Essential listening.

DISClaimer: The Boys Are Back In Town

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phillip fox band

Phillip Fox Band


Groups are in the spotlight today.
The bands bearing the names of John D. Hale, Phillip Fox and Josh Abbott have three of the best discs of the listening session. Plus, we have an audio reunion of the Girls Next Door.
Fittingly, The Phillip Fox Band is one of the day’s award winners. This mostly bearded foursome worked some 175 dates last year in and around its native Ohio, and the practice shows on its debut CD, Heartland. A tip of the hat and a DisCovery Award to this group.
The Disc of the Day prize goes to Darius Rucker, for being so gosh-darned addictive sounding.
MIKE & DORIS MERRITT/Love Will Get You Through Times of No Money
Writers: Sam Lorber/Tim DuBois/Jeff Silbar; Producer: Ron Hemby; Publishers: Warner Bros./Bob Montgomery, ASCAP; Palomino (track)
-Doris knows this song well. In 1986, when she was Doris King and a member of Girls Next Door, it became the group’s first country hit. Now it is a standout track on her new country-gospel CD Detours, and guess who have reunited to sing it with her anew? That’s right, and her former partners Cindy, Diane and Tammy harmonize just as smoothly with her as ever. This well-produced album is recorded with Doris’s minister hubby, but it is not a collection of duets. Rather, each of them has solo outings.
Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker


DARIUS RUCKER/Homegrown Honey
Writers: Darius Rucker/Charles Kelley/Nathan Chapman; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: Universal/Cadaaja/30A Getaway/Kobalt/Songs of Universal/Art in the Pain, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-It has a cool, funky backbeat, plus a jaunty attitude. The sexy joy of the whole thing is irresistible, because it is as catchy as can be.
KACEY JONES/You’ve Tried the Patience Out of Me
Writers: Kacey Jones/Denise Stiff; Producers: Kacey Jones and Duane Sciaqua; Publishers: Zamalama/Scared Stiff, BMI; IGO
-Darkly bluesy. Sung in Kacey’s low register, the song means business as a female fed-up kiss-off. Deliciously drawling, languidly rolling and full of terrific guitar twang.
RICK PATTERSON/Good For Me Deer
Writers: Rick Patterson; Producer: Rick Patterson; Publishers: RDP, BMI; RDP Music
-The comparisons to hunting deer and collecting a female trophy (”with a big nice rack”) are beyond insulting.
BILLY RAY CYRUS/Like A Country Song
Writers: Tammy Hyler/Shaye Smith; Producers: Tammy Hyler & Shaye Smith; Publishers: Melody Roundup/Bluewater, BMI; Melody Roundup
-Wryly humorous. Everything is going wrong in his life — the wife, the household, the relatives, the truck, the dog. No wonder, “My life is turning out just like a country song.” The laid-back delivery and no-hurry instrumental pace are nice changes of pace for him.
EASTON CORBIN/Baby Be My Love Song
Writers: Jim Collins; Brett James; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Publishers:Music of Cal IV/Tractor Factor/WB/Songs of Brett/External Combustion, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury
-Artistically, it’s been pretty much steadily downhill ever since 2009’s “A Little More Country Than That.” This doesn’t reverse the trend, although it is blandly listenable.
GARTH BROOKS/People Loving People
Writers: Lee Miller/Chris Wallin/busbee; Producer: Mark Miller; Publishers:Warner Tamerlane/Writers of Sea Gayle/Red Cape/29 Cent Hamburgers/Ole/BMG Platinum/Hello I Love You/Jam Writers Group, BMI/ASCAP; RCA/Pearl
-It’s been a very long time since we were hippies and thought idealistic lyrics like this were meaningful. Nevertheless, he is singing well.
PHILLIP FOX BAND/You Are The Girl
Writers: Phillip Fox/Matthew Hexter; Producers: Joe Viers, Phillip Fox & Jonathan Kampfe; Publishers:New Damn Book/LEMILOE, BMI; New Damn Book
-They have a beefy, full-blooded country-rock sound, and the lead singer delivers with plenty of moxie. The song title is somewhat buried, but otherwise, this is a band with a great deal of promise.
JOSH ABBOTT BAND/Hangin’ Around
Writers: Josh Abbott/Josh Osborne/Shane McAnally; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Victory Bells Ring Out/One Little Indian Creek/Songs of Black River/Universal/Smack Ink, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
-I have been a big fan of this group throughout both of its previous indie-label releases. Its graduation to major-label status retains most of its strengths — a hooky song, strong vocals and an imaginative arrangement. Radio ready.
JOHN D. HALE BAND & JASON BOLAND/Devil In Disguise
Writers: Gram Parsons/Chris Hillman; Producer: Cody Braun; Publishers: Irving, no performance rights listed; Camel Ranch
-Breezy, classic-sounding, California-style, country-rock music. Even though it has a spotless Texas pedigree.

DISClaimer: Comeback Kids

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trisha yearwood1

Trisha Yearwood


The trend of this listening session is the return of fondly remembered voices.
Greeting us with comeback records are Grand Ole Opry members Trisha Yearwood, Hal Ketchum and the duet team of Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White. Welcome all three of them with your arms wide open, because they all sound simply sensational.
So much so, that I’m splitting the Disc of the Day award into three parts. Our Male Vocalist winner is Hal Ketchum. Our Female Vocalist winner is Trisha Yearwood (with some harmony help from Kelly Clarkson). Our Vocal Duo winners are Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White.
The DisCovery Award goes to lead singer Taylor Cain and her younger harmonizing sister Madison and baby brother Logan, who are billed as The Cains Trio.
THE HELLO STRANGERS/What It Takes To Break A Heart
Writers: Larissa Chace Smith/Brechyn Chace; Producer: Steve Ivey; Publishers: The Hello Strangers, SESAC; IMI (track)
-Bluesy, rhythmic and completely captivating. The rockabilly groove is spiced with acoustic passages and quasi-shouted vocal moments. Feisty females on the rampage.
SONIA LEIGH/Put It In Your Pocket
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Willing To Fly
-The good-time groove never lets up for a second. There’s not much of a melody, and like so much of today’s country, it repeats its title and chorus hook over and over the way pop songs do, rather than developing a sustained lyric.
RICKY SKAGGS & SHARON WHITE/Forever’s Not Long Enough
Writers: Bob DiPiero/Keith Sewell; Producers: Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Coburn/Keith Sewell, BMI; Skaggs Family
-Despite being named the CMA Duo of the Year in 1987, these two have never recorded a duet album until now. Their Hearts Like Ours CD will drop on Sept. 30, but this track is available now as a download. It is a fantastically catchy bopper with a dandy electric-guitar twang. Both of them are singing splendidly, the production is as hooky as can be and the song has hit written on it. Play and believe.
The Cains Trio

The Cains Trio


THE CAINS TRIO/Be Yourself With Me
Writers: Billy Lawson/Taylor Cain/Ed Hill; Producer: Billy Lawson; Publishers: Catch the Boat/Red Vinyl/Monroe Hill, ASCAP/BMI; DayStreet
-These three Alabama siblings have a sweet, sunny, soothing sound. There’s a gentle, folk-y quality to this clean, clear production, and the song has a lovely, lilting melody. Ear tickling.
TRISHA YEARWOOD & KELLY CLARKSON/PrizeFighter
Writers: Jessi Alexander/Sarah Buxton/Ross Copperman; Producer: Mark Miller; Publishers: Party of Five/Kobalt/Big Red Toe/Bux Tone/Big Loud Bucks/EMI Blackwood/Songs By Red Room/Sony-ATV, ASCAP/BMI; RCA/Gwendolyn
-Goosebumps and thrills. Yearwood has one of those voices that shakes me right down to my core, and she nails this soaring rocker to the wall. That Clarkson’s soprano harmony can shadow her note for spectacular note is a sure sign that you are in the presence of singing royalty.
SKYLAR ELISE/You’ll Never Understand
Writers: D. Scott Miller/Amanda Williams; Producer: D. Scott Miller; Publisher: none listed; SM (track)
-She sings well, the song is well constructed, and the steel-guitar work is exemplary. But the rhythm section drags like it is walking through molasses.
RAY JOHNSTON BAND/More Crown Than Coke
Writers: Ray Johnston/James Slater/Django Walker; Producer: Erik Herbst; Publisher: RJB Entertainment, BMI; RJB (track)
-This laid-back drinking song feels as mellow as a booze buzz at sundown. Recommended.
HAL KETCHUM/I’m The Troubadour
Writers: Hal Ketchum; Producer: Jimmy LaFave; Publisher: Boxadore, BMI; Music Road (track)
-The title tune of Hal’s comeback CD is a rollicking, r&b-flavored statement of purpose. Love the shave-and-a-haircut backbeat, the organ flourishes and his drawled, saucy, soulman delivery. This thing cooks with gas.
EILEEN ROSE/Queen of the Fake Smile
Writers: Eileen Rose; Producer: Eileen Rose & The Legendary Rich Gilbert; Publishers: none listed; Holy Wreckords
-This singer-songwriter has apparently been around for awhile, but I believe the new Be Many Gone collection is my first hearing of her. It kicks off with this plain-spoken, mid-tempo ditty. It’s probably not “produced” enough for country radio, but Americana programmers might want to give her spare sound a spin.
ADRIAN DUFFY & THE MAYO BROTHERS/Storm Breaking
Writers: none listed; Producer: Matt Kemp; Publishers: none listed; Symphony Ray
-The group is an Irish country outfit whose previous records have picked up airplay in Canada, Britain and the U.S., as well as its homeland. This pleading, heartfelt ballad has a lustrous, layered, dreamy instrumental arrangement that is extremely pleasing. I’ve liked these guys before. I wish they’d send me a whole album one of these days.

DISClaimer: Country Music Stages A Comeback

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sturgill simpson11Country music stages a comeback this week.
Apparently, there are still a few record makers out there who cherish our honky-tonk traditions. One of them is our DisCovery Award winner, James Carothers. His CD is titled, of course, Honky Tonk Land.
There’s also an Ernest Tubb tribute album in this stack of platters. How could it be anything but country, country, country?
The trio of big stars on tap today are solidly country, too, albeit in modern ways. My applause goes to all three, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley and Lee Brice. Deciding among them for a Disc of the Day award was simply impossible. So I am giving it to a guy who marries tradition to electronics with striking results, Sturgill Simpson.
SARA BETH/Nowhere With You
Writers: Ashley Hewitt/Dean Sams/SaraBeth Swagerty; Producer: Dean Sams; Publishers: Onjarose/Last Song Standing/Clear Box/Delta Pearl, ASCAP/BMI; Circle S (track)
-This sweet and pleasant, languidly paced ditty goes down smoothly.
STURGILL SIMPSON/The Promise
Writers: Farrington/Mann/Floreale; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Songs of Kobalt, BMI; High Top Mountain
-Many in the media are hailing this Nashvillian as a “savior” of country music. His resonant baritone has echoes of Waylon, but his extraordinary style is all his own. If you know this song from its days as a 1988 pop hit for the British dance act When In Rome, you’ll be stunned at how he transforms it into an earthy, yearning country love ballad. Esquire, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post and other elite commentators are calling Simpson’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music CD the country album of the year. You’ll get no argument from me. The singer-songwriter is nominated as Emerging Artist of the Year at next month’s Americana Music Awards.
BLAKE SHELTON/Neon Light
Writers: Andrew Dorff/Josh Kear/Mark Irwin; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Moreendorffin/Global Dog/Book of Spells/Green Vinyl, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Honky-tonk heartbreak brought right up to date with a sensational groove and brilliantly clever lyrics. Absolutely irresistible.

James Carothers

James Carothers


JAMES CAROTHERS/New Country Singers
Writers: James Carothers; Producer: none listed; Publisher: James Carothers; BMI; JC (track)
-If this doesn’t make you smile, you must not be listening. It seems that the depressing drinking in his hang-dog life doesn’t quite match up to the beer-and-babes lyrics he hears today’s country singers warbling. This boy is a stone-country singer, and his song is as catchy as can be. Play it.
BRAD PAISLEY/Perfect Storm
Writers: Brad Paisley/Lee Thomas Miller; Producers: Luke Wooten/Brad Paisley; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Words & Music/Warner-Tamerlane/The Country and Western, ASCAP/BMI; Arista (track)
-The echoey guitar flourishes are heavenly, as Brad continues to dazzle as a player. Beyond that, the song is a melodic dream of being lost in love. In a word, wonderful.
AL BRAKE/Hot Pink Lady
Writers: Al Brake; Producer: Bob Bullock; Publishers: none listed; AB (track)
-This Canadian came to Nashville to record his self-titled CD. But all the professional surroundings in the world can’t disguise his thin, too-sharp, breath-challenged voice.
LEE BRICE/Drinkin’ Class
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Curb (track)
-If this isn’t a monster hit, I’ve never heard one. Every nine-to-fiver in America is going to raise a glass to this anthem. Apparently, it is already a sensation with audiences at Lee’s shows. I can certainly hear why.
QUENTIN REDDY/Moonlight Ride
Writers: Rob Crosby/Brice Long/Quentin Reddy/Darren Crow; Producer: Bart McKay; Publishers: Golden Vault/Wadmalaw/The Song Factory/Wordspring/Blongsongs/Q Factor, BMI/SESAC/SOCAN; On Ramp (track)
-This fellow has already achieved a measure of notoriety by competing on CMT’s “Big in a Small Town” TV competition in Canada. To translate that into U.S. radio prominence, I think it’s going to take a song that’s a little less generic than this.
TONY BOOTH/Walking The Floor Over You
Writers: Earnest Tubb; Producers: Jim Loessberg/Justin Trevino; Publishers: Unichappell, BMI; Heart of Country
-I love this Lone Star State label. Its latest CD is a tribute to Ernest Tubb called Thanks a Lot Texas Troubadour. Country vet Tony Booth kicks it off with a sprightly, bopping rendition of ET’s signature song. Other participants on this thoroughly enjoyable and totally country package include Johnny Bush, the late George Jones, Dottsy, Darrell McCall, Dolly Parton, Norma Jean and Georgette Jones.
JIM PHOTOGLO/Halls of My Heart
Writers: Jim Photoglo; Producer: Jim Photoglo; Publishers: Griffin Pie/Haber; ASCAP; Grifftone (track)
-Photoglo’s songwriting catalog includes such evergreens as “Fishin’ in the Dark” (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), “Hometown Honeymoon” (Alabama) and “Honky Tonk Heart” (Highway 101). This is the title tune of his latest solo CD. It is a heartwarming salute to Elvis, The Beach Boys and The Beatles that wafts with nostalgia and stardust. His evocative, tender, tenor voice sounds younger than yesterday. Recommended without reservation, especially if you’re looking for songs with true class. Also, it is exquisitely produced.

DISClaimer: A Radio Slot For The Good Ol' Boys

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jason d williams1

Jason D. Williams


The good ol’ boys are back in full force.
With this week’s announcement that Taylor Swift’s next album is completely aimed at pop listeners, that leaves us with exactly two major female solo country stars, Carrie and Miranda. They are, coincidentally, current duet partners, so that opens up one more radio slot for a male.
How much longer can this go on?
On the plus side, we have some very worthy newcomers to report this week. One is Casper McWade. A Google search revealed that he is from Oklahoma and that his band is called The Honky Tonk Rebels. All I really know is that he is a sensational country vocalist and that his “Whiskey” song is a gem. What he needs is some first class representation, publicity and promotion.
Daniel Lee is also making his debut this week. He shows definite promise. And then there is our DisCovery Award winner, handsome, 21-year-old, Texas native Chase Bryant. Lend him your ears as well.
It has been way too long since we’ve heard from Jason D. Williams. The wild man wins the Disc of the Day prize.
BERNIE NELSON/If I Know Blue
Writers: Bernie Nelson/Jess Brown; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Dumpster Diver/Jess Brown; ASCAP/BMI; If I Know Blue
-I remain a big, big fan of this big, big talent. Nelson is best known for writing successes for others, and if you want a helping of his latest should-be hits, check out his new Blue CD. This title tune is the best George Strait ballad that superstar never recorded. Heart touching and oh-so country. If you’ve ever loved a dog, prepare to get choked up.
Chase Bryant. Photo: Justin Nolan Key

Chase Bryant. Photo: Justin Nolan Key


LENNY COOPER/Lights On
Writers: L. Cooper/J. Spillner/J. Sciullo/T. Wood; Producers: J. Sciullo; Publishers: Riley Payton/DJKO Phivesttarr/Average ZJS/Nettwerk Arias/Revel In It/Burn Card, SESAC/BMI; Average Joes
-Cooper is back with another stack of back-road, mud-digger ditties. The first single from his The Grind CD is this drawled drinkin’ song. In brief, he’s still rocking after “last call,” so he doesn’t care what time it is. The song is more spoken than sung, but with this guy, it’s the attitude that counts.
BILL WENCE/Songs That Make Me Think About You
Writers: Nathan Adam Johnson; Producers: Bill Wence/Joe Funderburk; Publishers: Fortunate, ASCAP; 615 (track)
-Decades after beginning his career, Wence is still out there playing piano behind Bobby Bare and Wanda Jackson. Also, in addition to being a prolific record promoter, he is still making records, himself. This title tune to his latest is a jaunty, beach-y bopper.
RAY STEVENS/Swing Down Chariot/Swing Low Sweet Chariot medley
Writers: traditional; Producer: Ray Stevens; Publisher: Ray Stevens Music (arr.), BMI; Clyde/Gaither
-At age 75, Stevens has been on a tear lately. His memoir, Ray Stevens Nashville, is selling well, and he’s back on disc with a gospel collection. The latter kicks off with this toe-tapping arrangement of two standards that are already lively. One of the most remarkable things about it is the fact that the chorus that backs him and adds so much to the arrangement is evidently comprised of his own, multi-tracked self.
PHILIP CLAYPOOL/Come On Back Home
Writers: Philip Claypool/John Swatner; Producer: Michael Lloyed; Publisher: Heyday/Swat, BMI; Heyday (track)
-The title tune of Claypool’s latest is an uptempo country bopper. The song might be lively, but the lyric is a yearning plea for a lover to return. Listenable.
JASON D. WILLIAMS/Hillbillies and Holy Rollers
Writers: Jason D. Williams/Dale Watson; Producer: Dale Watson; Publishers: none listed; Rockabilly (track)
-Considering how much this charming ball of energy’s sound harkens back to the classic days of rockabilly music, it comes as a surprise to learn that his new CD is the first he has recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis. The title tune is a rollicking honky tonker embellished by his Jerry Lee -style piano flourishes and confident, echo-chamber vocals. As the title suggests, it is equal parts church and barroom. Ya gotta love this guy.
CASPER McWADE/Whiskey
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Cabin Creek
-I like his resonant baritone delivery, and the song is well crafted. The pace drags just a little. But the release’s biggest problem is its lack of information. I’d like to know who this guy is and who wrote the song, and the packaging offers zero about either one.
DANIEL LEE/Backwood Tobacco
Writers: Daniel Lee/Lynn Hutton/John Henderson; Producer: Shannon Houchins & Noah Gordon; Publishers: Daniel Lee/House of Sea Gayle/Words & Music/Bug/Murrah/BMG, BMI/ASCAP; Average Joes
-Like everything else on this label, this rocks strenuously. For a change, however, the label’s disc features someone who can actually sing. An extremely promising debut. Keep it up.
SILO ROAD/4 Quarters
Writers: Broome/Swindle; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Cabin Creek
-Incompetently recorded. Find a producer.
CHASE BRYANT/Take It On Back
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Red Bow (ERG)
-I am told this youngster put on a fine show during CMA Music Fest. At any rate, he’s now being featured in Teen Vogue and is making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday. His single is an upbeat, nostalgic ditty that recalls young love to the accompaniment of a catchy rhythm track, rippling banjo, snazzy electric guitar breaks, occasional electro effects and some harmonizing backup singers. Clap hands and sing along.

DISClaimer: Joe Nichols Wins Disc of the Day

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risa binder nashville1The story today is told by the newcomer females.
Three of them are vying for the DisCovery Award—Ashley Barron, Olivia Lane and our winner, Risa Binder. She may be a newcomer, but she’s a smart cookie. Her 5-track Nashville EP contains songs penned by Matraca Berg, Lauren Lucas, Marc Beeson and other top-drawer talents. And Luke Wooten has given her the best-produced recording of this entire listening session.
Last week, we had one of my favorite male country singers in our spotlight, Chris Young. This week, we have another, the equally splendid Joe Nichols. He takes home the Disc of the Day prize.
Another trend of the day was folks doing double duty by working in different departments. You’ll find Ilya Toshinsky here producing Olivia’s disc and playing guitar on Risa’s. Tyler Farr is present as both a singer and as the co-writer of the Brushville single.
BRUSHVILLE/Baby’s Got Her Boots On
Writer: Tyler Farr/Houston Phillips/Cole Taylor; Producer: Kyle Lehning ; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Make It a Bucket/Mount It/Universal/No Bridge, BMI/ASCAP; Brushville (track) (www.brushville.com)
—This Illinois five-piece band was smart enough to enlist one of Nashville’s finest producers when it came to town to record. But I don’t know that I’d have chosen this word-y song for a single.
joe nichols slider 2014TEA GOANS/Nobody Wins
Writer: Kris Kristofferson; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Resaca, BMI; Crosswind (CDX) (615-467-3860)
—Goans remains one of my favorite current female country singers. She gives this a fine, moaning, honky-tonk balladeer interpretation. But Brenda Lee’s throaty 1973 version remains definitive.
RHETT WALKER BAND/Here’s to the Ones
Writer: Rhett Canipe/Kenny Davis/Joe Kane/Paul Moak; Producer: Paul Moke; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Ships in a Bottle/Give Me Analog/Grizzly Blue/Universal/Brentwood Benson/Paul Moak, SESAC/ASCAP; Essential (CDX) (www.therhettwalkerband.com)
—I think it’s meant to sound stirring and inspirational. Despite its earnest, blue-collar intentions, the country rocker never seemed to connect with me. This sort of thing has been done better by others in the mainstream rock field.
CLINTON GREGORY & IRA DEAN/You Can’t Hide High
Writer: Tommy Curry/Jayce Hein/Dennis Knudson; Producer: Larry Beaird; Publisher: Chubu/Busy at Play/Melody Roundup/Bluewater, BMI; Melody Roundup (CDX) (www.melodyroundupmusic.com)
—He’s secretly growing weed at home. But as soon as he fires it up, “You can’t hide high.” Your eyes are red, you’re laughing like a loony, and you’ve got the munchies. Goofy fun for stoners everywhere. Stay tuned for the ad libs at the end: “I feel like we’re smoking Willie Nelson’s brain” and the like.
T. GRAHAM BROWN & VINCE GILL/He’ll Take Care of You
Writer: Dan Penn/Gary Nicholson/Donnie Fritts; Producer: Mark L. Carman & T. Graham Brown; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Dan Penn, BMI; MCM (CDX) (www.tgrahambrown.com)
—As you might guess from those writer credits, this has a Southern-soul vibe. And of course, blue-eyed soulman Brown is just the singer for this kind of song. Gill proves to be just as bluesy during his turn at the mic. Groove soaked and audio seductive. Get down with it.
ASHLEY BARRON/It Might Get Loud
Writer: Pat Kelley; Producer: Bobby Zoppi; Publisher: none listed; AB (track) 
—The title tune to this gal’s CD is just barely produced. She sings okay, but it sounds like a demo.
TYLER FARR/A Guy Walk Into a Bar
Writer: Melissa Peirce/Jonathan Singleton/Brad Tursi; Producer: Bill Catino & Julian King; Publisher: Platinum Molly/East Pass/Nashvistaville/Disney/Super Big/Jett/Big Machine/Songs of Big Deal/BMG, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia 
—Nicely written, with a catchy chorus that loops back on itself. I could have done without the inappropriate, arena-rock guitar solo, but as long as you focus on Farr’s distinctive, furry-rasp vocal, this is a dandy effort. Hit bound.
OLIVIA LANE/Steal Me Away
Writer: Olivia Lane/Lee Thomas Miller/Ilya Toshinsky; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: Liv Write Play/Warner-Chappell/It, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; Big Spark (www.olivialane.com)
—Rousing. She’s a filly breaking out of the starting gate at a full gallop. Both her vocal and the production are super sunny. Well worth your radio spins.
JOE NICHOLS/Hard to Be Cool
Writer: Rob Hatch/Jason Sellers; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Publisher: Legends of Magic Mustang/Big Loud Bucks/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy, SESAC/ASCAP; Red Bow (track) (www.joenichols.com)
—This guy gets me every time. On this outing, he’s tearing it up on an asphalt track, roaring with the throttle wide open. “She’s so hot, it’s hard to be cool,” he sings while the rhythm track pounds away relentlessly. Get up and dance!
RISA BINDER/Gotta Have You
Writer: Phil Barton/Emily Shackelton/Victoria Banks; Producer: Luke Wooten; Publisher: HoriPro/Liz Rose/Rare Spark Media Group, no performance rights listed; Warehouse (track) (www.risabinder.com)
—She sings with striking country clarity, and the superb production mixes her up front and center. The propulsive, gripping arrangement is an arrow pointed straight at the sun. The melody is beyond hooky. Prepare to fall in love.