
As fall approaches, the labels start scrambling to release new country sounds.
Established hit makers Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Craig Morgan are joined by a bevy of newcomers this week. Many of them are, hallelujah, women.
Kip Moore tops ‘em all with a sexy Disc of the Day.
The DISCovery Award goes to Wynn Williams. He sure sounds like a star to me.
LACI KAYE BOOTH / “Treasure”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Jessie Jo Dillon/Laci Kaye Booth/Laura Veltz; Producers: Dann Huff/Jimmy Harnen; Label: Big Machine
–Following a pandemic hiatus, CMT’s Next Women of Country is back. Wednesday’s show at City Winery featured this previous DISClaimer favorite, performing in her sensual, folkie style and charming everyone in sight. This deliciously tuneful bopper is drawn from her debut EP. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” she purrs with just the right touch of minor-key menace in her delivery.
CRAIG MORGAN / “How You Make a Man”
Writers: Megan Conner/Michael Walton/Skip Black; Producers: Craig Morgan/Phil O’Donnell; Label: Broken Bow/BMG
–Craig’s memoir God, Family, Country comes out this month. Also new is this torrid performance. Tears, joy, loss, victory, defeat, pain, laughs, regret, fear and heartache mold a man, he emotes: “You hit your knees ‘til you learn to stand.” This Opry star sings like no one else.
JENNA PAULETTE / “The Girl I Was”
Writers: Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Jeb Gipson, Jessie Jo Dillon Producer: Will Bundy; Label: JP
–This Next Woman of Country 2022 class member is a Texas cowgirl with an impressive vocal range and plenty of performing confidence. Her current single is the wafting, highly listenable “El Paso,” which you should definitely pay attention to. At Wednesday’s City Winery performance, she stole hearts with this moving ballad about reclaiming your self respect. I remain a fan.
MICKEY GUYTON / “Somethin’ ‘Bout You”
Writers: Mickey Guyton/David Garcia/Tyler Hubbard; Producers: David Garcia/Tyler Hubbard; Label: Capitol
–Guyton returns, this time with a breezy, sunny romance tune. Happiness shining brightly. The Grammy-nominated Super Bowl anthem singer introduced it on NBC’s Today show last Friday.
WYNN WILLIAMS / “I Love Her for Leaving”
Writers: Brice Long/Wynn Williams; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: ONErpm
–This neotraditionalist blazes through this stormy, mid-tempo country rocker with the aplomb of a pro. He has a solid, honest, Texas, honky-tonk delivery that’s impossible not to like. I caught the former rodeo cowboy at last week’s Whiskey Jam and was mighty impressed. Even in front of Winners’ packed, noisy throng of drunk college kids, Wynn’s music and charisma shone through. Can’t wait to hear more.
KENNY CHESNEY & OLD DOMINION / “Beer With My Friends”
Writers: David Lee Murphy/Shy Carter/Bryan Simpson; Producer: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; Listed: Warner
–This is a blue-collar sing-along if I’ve ever heard one. The very first thing in the track is the raucous, hooky chorus. Then the relentless stomper cranks up the mood even more. Undeniably a smash. The party anthem was previously a 2021 single for Cole Swindell with its authors Carter and Murphy.
JULIA COLE / “Thank God We Broke Up”
Writers: Cole Burkett/David Asher Mescon/Josh Ronen/Julia Cole/Steve Battey; Producer: Josh Ronen; Label: JC
–Cole is another of this year’s Next Women of Country, and she showed us why at this week’s showcase. And how. On this single, she’s wonderfully rocking and feisty. I have liked her empowering style in the past, and this witty kiss-off is a dandy fulfillment of her promise. Cole, Booth and Paulette’s CMT-promoted sisters also include Camille Parker, Tenille Arts, Callista Clark, Lily Rose, Reyna Roberts, Kittenish clothing entrepreneur Jessie James Decker and bodacious Hannah Dasher.
KIP MOORE / “If I Was Your Lover”
Writers: Kip Moore/Matt Bubel; Producers: Kip Moore/Matt Bubel/Jaren Johnson; Label: MCA
–Who says sexy songs have to be ballads? Moore rocks this one, Big Time, and steams up the speakers. The crystal-clear production and terrific beats match his passionate vocal perfectly.
BRYAN RUBY / “Two For the Road”
Writers: Anthony Liam Fiddler/Bryan Ruby/Chad Albert Sellers; Producer: Smith Curry; Label: BR
–It’s the toe-tapping one about the young lovers hitting the road and escaping their small-town lives. Springsteen did it way better with “Born to Run.”
KEITH URBAN / “Nightfalls”
Writers: Greg Kurstin/Keith Urban/Maureen McDonald; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: UMG
–Nice choppy rhythms underscore this upbeat, well-written, hooky invitation to romance.
CONNER SMITH / “Take It Slow”
Writers: Conner Smith/Mark Trussell/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Valory
–It’s about kids on a date. It doesn’t have much of a melody. There is an intriguing electric-sitar kinda sound rippling in the background.
KENDELL MARVEL & CHRIS STAPLETON / “Don’t Tell Me How to Drink”
Writers: Kendell Marvel/Chris Stapleton; Producer: Beau Bedford; Label: CmdShft
–This likable hell-raisin’ outlaw stomper sounds like classic Hank Jr. Stapleton is mainly heard via fiery electric guitar work.
Chart Action: Kenny Chesney, Hardy Duel For Most-Added
/by Alex ParryKenny Chesney and Hardy battle it out for the most-added designation this week across the country charts.
On the Billboard and MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio charts, Chesney’s “Beer With My Friends” featuring Old Dominion brought in 75 new station adds.
The idea to record “Beer With My Friends,” which was written by David Lee Murphy, Shy Carter and Bryan Simpson, was born on Chesney’s “Here And Now 2022” with Old Dominion. Chesney notes, “Before [the tour] is over, I wanted to give everyone something to remember it by, a song that we can all sing wherever we are–and know there’s nothing like these moments we’ve shared. All you gotta do is put it on, turn it up and we’ll all be right back there; bringing OD in reinforces it all.”
“Wait In The Truck,” which features powerhouse vocals from MusicRow‘s newly-crowned Breakthrough Artist and Artist-Writer of the Year Lainey Wilson, was written by Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, and Renee Blair.
“Thank you to country radio for supporting a song that means so much to me,” Hardy shares. “I’m grateful to the fans for the response already to this song, it truly means everything. I can’t wait to hear it on the radio.”
For more chart data, click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
117 Entertainment Partners With Icon Entertainment Group
/by Lydia Farthing117 Entertainment has partnered with Icon Entertainment Group for exclusive PR representation.
The brainchild of entrepreneur and real estate investor Bill Miller, Icon Entertainment owns and operates establishments in Nashville. The company has acquired commercial real estate totaling six properties and over 110,000 square feet in downtown Nashville, including the Johnny Cash Museum, Nudie’s Honky Tonk, House of Cards, Skull’s Rainbow Room, Johnny Cash’s Bar & BBQ and the Patsy Cline Museum.
Icon also recently announced its growth into East Nashville as Miller will be occupying the old home of Southern Grist Brewing Co. Miller will also be expanding in The Southern Turf building, which is already home to Skull’s Rainbow Room. He will be adding three more concepts, one being a Frank Sinatra-themed restaurant and bar opening in spring of 2023.
117 Entertainment was founded by Zach Farnum and represents a variety of artists, including Randy Travis, David Nail, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lee Roy Parnell, Wade Sapp, James Robert Webb, and more.
Mark Your Calendar—September 2022
/by Lydia FarthingSingle/Track Releases
September 2
The McCrary Sisters/Run On
Matt Jordan/The Gamble/MJ Music
September 6
Dianña/Hands/Slippery Eel
Corey Layne/Between George Strait and George Jones/Mountaintop Music
September 9
Meredith Andrews/Carry The World/Curb
Brit Taylor/Cabin in the Woods
Essex County/Fire It Up/AMG Records/The Orchard
September 12
Scotty McCreery/It Matters To Her/Triple Tigers
Conner Smith/Take It Slow/Valory
Kolby Cooper/Excuses/Wheelhouse
Flat River Band/Ain’t A Woman Like A River/Early Bird
Jacob Johnson/Back/AJG Music Group/Bow To Stern Records
Robbi Atkins & Jennifer Wrinkle/Alive Today/MC1 Nashville
Alice Nelson/It’s You Not Me/MC1 Nashville
September 16
Carolyn Miller/Well Enough Alone
September 19
Drake Milligan/Sounds Like Something I’d Do/Stoney Creek
Shane Profitt/How It Oughta Be/BMLG Records/Harpeth 60 Records
Savannah Rae/All Hat/dreamwerksmuzik
Amy Sheppard/Blue Guitar/Empire of Song / Chugg Music
September 19
Sweet Tea Trio/All Hat, No Cattle/Top Dog Records
September 30
Matt Jordan/Wrangler/MJ Music
Album/EP Releases
September 2
Jon Pardi/Mr. Saturday Night/Capitol Records Nashville
Kris Kristofferson/Live at Gilley’s – Pasadena, TX: September 15, 1981/New West Records
Ian Flanigan/Strong
September 9
Kane Brown/Different Man/RCA
Breland/Cross Country/Bad Realm Records/Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville
Chris Tomlin/Always
Amy Grant/Behind The Eyes (25th Anniversary Expanded Edition)
Buck Owens/Bakersfield Gold: Top 10 Hits 1959-1974/Omnivore Recordings
Charley Crockett/The Man From Waco/Son Of Davy/Thirty Tigers
September 14
Grace Leer/Grace Leer
September 15
Drake Milligan/Dallas/Fort Worth/Stoney Creek Records
September 16
LeAnn Rimes/God’s Work/EverLe Records/Thirty Tigers/The Orchard
Little Big Town/Mr. Sun/UMG
Dailey & Vincent/Let’s Sing Some Country!/BMG
Kat & Alex/Kat & Alex: Side A/Sony Music Nashville
Gene Watson/Outside The Box
We The Kingdom/We The Kingdom/Capitol Christian Music Group
Clayton Anderson/Made In The USA/Visionary Media Group
Amy Ray/If It All Goes South/Daemon Records
September 23
Kelsea Ballerini/Subject To Change/Black River
Maddie & Tae/Through the Madness Vol. 2/Mercury Nashville
Kendell Marvel/Come On Sunshine/CmdShft
Sunny Sweeney/Married Alone/Thirty Tigers
Blanca/The Heartbreak and The Healing/Curb | Word
Lucie Tiger/The Memphis Tapes/2120 Music
September 27
Rita Wilson/Rita Wilson Now & Forever: Duets
September 30
Adam Doleac/Barstool Whiskey Wonderland/Arista
Ben Burgess/Tears the Size of Texas/Big Loud
Warren Zeiders/717 Tapes: The Album/Warner Records
Noah Hicks/Tripping Over My Boots/Red Creative Records
Emily Pyscher/Memory Lane
Industry Events
September 1 – 5
Live On The Green
September 7
Nightfall at the Hall
September 13 – 17
AmericanaFest
September 14
Americana Awards
September 20
Nashville Songwriter Awards
September 21
2022 ASCAP Christian Music Awards (Virtual)
September 24 – 25
Pilgrimage Music & Culture Festival
September 27 – October 1
IBMA World of Bluegrass
Kane Brown To Host ‘Different Man’ Album Experience On Release Day
/by Lydia FarthingKane Brown will ring in the release of his new album Different Man with a special celebration on Sept. 9. The one-day only event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 3-7 p.m. at The Ruby in Nashville (2411 Blakemore Avenue Nashville, TN 37212).
The immersive album celebration invites fans to participate in interactive photo experiences that take participants on a journey through the tracks on the multi-Platinum artist’s newest project.
The 17-track album features previously released songs “Grand,” “Whiskey Sour,” and “Leave You Alone,” as well as his recent No. 1 hits “Like I Love Country Music” and “One Mississippi.” Different Man will also include features from Blake Shelton and Brown’s wife Katelyn.
Brown will kick off his international “Drunk or Dreaming Tour” on Sept. 17 in Melbourne, Australia before continuing throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and Europe.
Folds Of Honor Tennessee Raises Over $324,000 At 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Tourney
/by Lorie HollabaughFolds of Honor 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament winning team, Team IB3 Global Solutions. Photo: Courtesy of Wortman Works
Folds of Honor Tennessee raised over $324,000 this week at the 2nd Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament at the Governors Club. Celebrity players included Lee Brice, Michael Ray, Kid Rock, Tyler Braden, Jordan Rowe, Jelly Roll, and Cortland Finnegan, among many others.
The tournament brought together friends from sports, entertainment, and corporate America with foursomes teeing off in support of Folds of Honor’s mission to provide opportunity to the families of our nation’s injured and fallen veterans in the form of scholarships.
Speaker Rachel Faulkner Brown, Photo: Courtesy of Wortman Works
The day’s winner was Team IB3 Global Solutions headed by executive board member, Sean Gleason of Knoxville. The event also featured a post-golf dinner, a concert by Edwin McCain, and a live/silent auction. The guest speaker was Rachel Faulkner-Brown, founder of Be Still Ministries.
“What a blessing! The energy in the air was electric on Monday. Thank you to all the sponsors, board members, celebrities, players, and volunteers who helped the Tennessee Chapter of Folds of Honor raise nearly 65 scholarships for our military families. Our ‘squadron’ is unmatched!” states Jenner Kreifels, the Regional Development Officer for Folds of Honor Tennessee.
Folds of Honor will distribute nearly 9,000 academic scholarships worth approximately $40 million for 2022-23. Since its inception in 2007, the organization has awarded nearly 44,000 scholarships valued at nearly $200 million.
Folds of Honor Tennessee hosts several fundraising events throughout the year to raise funds for the scholarships, including Drams ‘N Jams, Rock ‘N Jock Celebrity Softball tournament, and Heroes and Holidays in partnership with John Rich, among others.
Luke Combs Achieves Four-Week MusicRow No. 1
/by Alex ParryIn an unprecedented feat, Luke Combs makes a triumphant return to the the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart marking four weeks at No. 1 for “The Kind Of Love We Make.” Combs wrote the single with Dan Isbell, Reid Isbell, and Jamie Davis and it appears on his latest album Growin’ Up.
This week, Combs was honored as Artist of the Year at the 34th annual MusicRow Awards. Click here to see the full list of winners.
The official music video for “The Kind Of Love We Make” has racked in over 11 million views on YouTube.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Film Producer & Singer-Songwriter Tyler Thompson Signs With Sony Music Nashville, CAA
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Thompson. Photo: Danny Clinch
Singer-songwriter Tyler Thompson has signed with Sony Music Nashville and CAA.
Known for producing acclaimed films such as Black Swan, American Made, Hacksaw Ridge and Trial of the Chicago 7, Thompson’s first track, “Won’t Take Long,” is available everywhere now.
“Throughout my career, I have always been passionate about telling stories no one else was willing to tell, and bringing back projects from the brink to give them new life. This happened when I made Black Swan and that’s exactly what I believe we’re doing with this song, which was written by my pal Will Hoge several years ago,” Thompson explains. “I’m so excited for Sony Nashville to be on board for this journey and for everyone to finally hear it.”
Thompson found his way into producing movies in 2008 with his debut film, Black Swan, and followed that up with Rush, Black Mass, American Made, Hacksaw Ridge and Everest, among many others. He is in production on his next movie, The Pale Blue Eye, with Christian Bale and Scott Cooper, which will release on Netflix this fall.
“Music has always been in my blood, not genetically, but there’s something burning in me that has always driven me to make it,” continues Thompson. “A lot of country music these days is successful because it’s relatable to folks in America. In a world where it’s very hard to find authenticity, I wanted to create some semblance of it, first for myself, and now I hope people will also feel it on this record.”
The GreenRoom Parts Ways With Jason Aldean
/by LB CantrellJason Aldean. Photo: Brian Higbee
After representing the multi-Platinum singer for 17 years, The GreenRoom publicity firm has parted ways with Jason Aldean, MusicRow has confirmed.
In a statement provided to Billboard, GreenRoom co-owner Tyne Parrish shared, “Music has always been and remains The GreenRoom’s core focus, so we had to make the difficult decision after 17 years to step away from representing Jason.”
“We aren’t the best people for the gig anymore, but will always be big fans of his music—he is one of the greatest live entertainers in country music,” the statement continues.
While Parrish didn’t mention it in her statement, the split comes after a media firestorm ensued following an Instagram post made by Aldean’s wife and social media influencer Brittany on Aug. 23. In a reel, Brittany is seen putting on make up with the caption, “I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life.”
A few days later, singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope seemingly subtweeted Brittany, saying, “You’d think celebs with beauty brands would see the positives in including LGBTQ+ people in their messaging. But instead here we are, hearing someone compare their ‘tomboy phase’ to someone wanting to transition. Real nice.”
A few hours later, country star Maren Morris replied to Pope’s tweet saying, “It’s so easy to, like, not be a scumbag human? Sell your clip-ins and zip it, Insurrection Barbie.”
Since then, other artists have shown support to both sides, and multiple national media outlets have picked up the story.
The Aldeans have been more outspoken about their political beliefs in the last few years, with Brittany even partnering with another influencer and country singer Chuck Wick‘s wife Kasi to launch Brittany and Kasi, a “store for the conservative.” Among the merchandise offered by the boutique are shirts that say “Alexa, change the President” and “Unapologetically Conservative.”
Earlier this week, Brittany and Kasi launched a line inspired by Morris’ “Barbie” tweet, featuring shirts with phrases such as “Don’t Tread On Our Kids” written in Barbie-style font. In her post, Brittany wrote that an undisclosed portion of the proceeds will be going to Operation Light Shine, an organization combating human trafficking and child exploitation.
GreenRoom also represents Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett, Lady A, The War and Treaty, and others. Aldean’s PR representation going forward is not yet clear.
Habitat For Humanity’s 2022 Music Row Build Kicks Off
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: Brothers Osborne, last year’s Music Row Build Ambassadors, with 2021 Music Row Build Habitat Family Alycia Carpenter.
The 2022 Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville Music Row Build has been slated for Oct. 29, with upcoming music fundraisers scheduled to support this year’s build for future Habitat homeowner LaShawanda Bowman.
Bowman is the mother of four children aged 6 to 16, and has worked as a dental assistant since 2020. She attended Tennessee College of Applied Technology Dental Assistant School and graduated with honors in 2019.
Pictured: 2021’s Music Row Build family Alycia Carpenter’s ribbon cutting for her new Habitat home on May 17, 2021.
Music Row veteran Mark Brown says the goal of this Music Row Build is to establish a $500,000 endowment in order to continue to provide solutions for Nashville’s affordable housing crisis. The fundraising goal for this year’s build is $25,000.
“I absolutely hate the word rent. Mortgage sounds so much better,” says Bowman. “My kids are the reason I am pushing for homeownership. I owe this to them, and my determination won’t allow me to give up.”
A fundraiser will be held at Nashville’s Exit/In on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. featuring the Brown Brothers Band. It will be a free show with a suggested $25 donation to support Music Row Build.
A writer’s round has also been set at the Bluebird Cafe for Sept. 28 with ticket information and other details to follow.
Music Row Build began in 2003 and helped eight local families purchase affordable homes
before it ended in 2012. Habitat’s Music Row Build reignited in 2020 when Brown decided he
wanted to do more to help hardworking Nashvillians have equal opportunities to live in the city
in which they work.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Kip Moore Steams Things Up With ‘If I Was Your Lover’
/by Robert K OermannAs fall approaches, the labels start scrambling to release new country sounds.
Established hit makers Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Craig Morgan are joined by a bevy of newcomers this week. Many of them are, hallelujah, women.
Kip Moore tops ‘em all with a sexy Disc of the Day.
The DISCovery Award goes to Wynn Williams. He sure sounds like a star to me.
LACI KAYE BOOTH / “Treasure”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Jessie Jo Dillon/Laci Kaye Booth/Laura Veltz; Producers: Dann Huff/Jimmy Harnen; Label: Big Machine
–Following a pandemic hiatus, CMT’s Next Women of Country is back. Wednesday’s show at City Winery featured this previous DISClaimer favorite, performing in her sensual, folkie style and charming everyone in sight. This deliciously tuneful bopper is drawn from her debut EP. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” she purrs with just the right touch of minor-key menace in her delivery.
CRAIG MORGAN / “How You Make a Man”
Writers: Megan Conner/Michael Walton/Skip Black; Producers: Craig Morgan/Phil O’Donnell; Label: Broken Bow/BMG
–Craig’s memoir God, Family, Country comes out this month. Also new is this torrid performance. Tears, joy, loss, victory, defeat, pain, laughs, regret, fear and heartache mold a man, he emotes: “You hit your knees ‘til you learn to stand.” This Opry star sings like no one else.
JENNA PAULETTE / “The Girl I Was”
Writers: Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Jeb Gipson, Jessie Jo Dillon Producer: Will Bundy; Label: JP
–This Next Woman of Country 2022 class member is a Texas cowgirl with an impressive vocal range and plenty of performing confidence. Her current single is the wafting, highly listenable “El Paso,” which you should definitely pay attention to. At Wednesday’s City Winery performance, she stole hearts with this moving ballad about reclaiming your self respect. I remain a fan.
MICKEY GUYTON / “Somethin’ ‘Bout You”
Writers: Mickey Guyton/David Garcia/Tyler Hubbard; Producers: David Garcia/Tyler Hubbard; Label: Capitol
–Guyton returns, this time with a breezy, sunny romance tune. Happiness shining brightly. The Grammy-nominated Super Bowl anthem singer introduced it on NBC’s Today show last Friday.
WYNN WILLIAMS / “I Love Her for Leaving”
Writers: Brice Long/Wynn Williams; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: ONErpm
–This neotraditionalist blazes through this stormy, mid-tempo country rocker with the aplomb of a pro. He has a solid, honest, Texas, honky-tonk delivery that’s impossible not to like. I caught the former rodeo cowboy at last week’s Whiskey Jam and was mighty impressed. Even in front of Winners’ packed, noisy throng of drunk college kids, Wynn’s music and charisma shone through. Can’t wait to hear more.
KENNY CHESNEY & OLD DOMINION / “Beer With My Friends”
Writers: David Lee Murphy/Shy Carter/Bryan Simpson; Producer: Buddy Cannon/Kenny Chesney; Listed: Warner
–This is a blue-collar sing-along if I’ve ever heard one. The very first thing in the track is the raucous, hooky chorus. Then the relentless stomper cranks up the mood even more. Undeniably a smash. The party anthem was previously a 2021 single for Cole Swindell with its authors Carter and Murphy.
JULIA COLE / “Thank God We Broke Up”
Writers: Cole Burkett/David Asher Mescon/Josh Ronen/Julia Cole/Steve Battey; Producer: Josh Ronen; Label: JC
–Cole is another of this year’s Next Women of Country, and she showed us why at this week’s showcase. And how. On this single, she’s wonderfully rocking and feisty. I have liked her empowering style in the past, and this witty kiss-off is a dandy fulfillment of her promise. Cole, Booth and Paulette’s CMT-promoted sisters also include Camille Parker, Tenille Arts, Callista Clark, Lily Rose, Reyna Roberts, Kittenish clothing entrepreneur Jessie James Decker and bodacious Hannah Dasher.
KIP MOORE / “If I Was Your Lover”
Writers: Kip Moore/Matt Bubel; Producers: Kip Moore/Matt Bubel/Jaren Johnson; Label: MCA
–Who says sexy songs have to be ballads? Moore rocks this one, Big Time, and steams up the speakers. The crystal-clear production and terrific beats match his passionate vocal perfectly.
BRYAN RUBY / “Two For the Road”
Writers: Anthony Liam Fiddler/Bryan Ruby/Chad Albert Sellers; Producer: Smith Curry; Label: BR
–It’s the toe-tapping one about the young lovers hitting the road and escaping their small-town lives. Springsteen did it way better with “Born to Run.”
KEITH URBAN / “Nightfalls”
Writers: Greg Kurstin/Keith Urban/Maureen McDonald; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: UMG
–Nice choppy rhythms underscore this upbeat, well-written, hooky invitation to romance.
CONNER SMITH / “Take It Slow”
Writers: Conner Smith/Mark Trussell/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Zach Crowell; Label: Valory
–It’s about kids on a date. It doesn’t have much of a melody. There is an intriguing electric-sitar kinda sound rippling in the background.
KENDELL MARVEL & CHRIS STAPLETON / “Don’t Tell Me How to Drink”
Writers: Kendell Marvel/Chris Stapleton; Producer: Beau Bedford; Label: CmdShft
–This likable hell-raisin’ outlaw stomper sounds like classic Hank Jr. Stapleton is mainly heard via fiery electric guitar work.