It’s a pop-country day here at DISClaimer.
With Maren Morris, The Brethren, Ya’Boyz and CB30 setting the pace, there was plenty of youthful verve in the listening session. And CB30 caps it by winning this week’s DISCovery Award.
That said, there was still some dandy regulation-country listening. Most especially from Chapel Hart, Jake Owen, Drew Parker and our Disc of the Day winners, The Isaacs.
THE BRETHREN / “Staring at Stars”
Writers: Chad Chapin/Lonnie Chapin/Casey Parnell/Corey Parnell/Brian White/Barry Zito; Producer: The Brethren; Label: OneRPM
–Beautifully harmonized and lushly melodic, this bit of pop-country ear candy evokes summer romance and vacation joy. The luxurious, layered production ain’t exactly down home, but it is mighty, mighty pretty.
DONNA FARGO / “One of the Good Guys”
Writers: Donna Fargo; Producer: Stan Silver; Label: PrimaDonna
–Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Donna Fargo is renowned for “Funny Face,” “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA” and a string of other hits in the 1970s and 1980s. Her career was a partnership with husband/manager/producer Stan Silver, whom she lost to COVID last year. Donna’s new All Because of You EP contains the songs they were working on at the time of his death. It leads off with this celebration of his love. The tenor-sax riffs in the arrangement add depth to her sweetly sincere, heartfelt delivery.
YA’BOYZ / “Ya’Boyz”
Writers: Zach Kale/Joe Ragosta/Joseph Patton/Nick Zinnanti; Producers: Zach Kale/Joe Ragosta/NCKSZN; Label: MCA/Republic
–This energetic collaboration features High Valley, Filmore, Levi Hummon, Kyle Clark and Jojo Mason. Group members Kale and Ragosta lead the way on a loud, backwoods banger that sports rock percussion, hick-hop vocals and plenty of redneck imagery. Rowdy and fun sounding, if not exactly my cup of tea.
DYLAN SCOTT / “Livin’ My Best Life”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Thomas Rhett/Corey Crowder; Producers: Will Weatherly/Matt Alderman/Jim Ed Norman/Curt Gibbs/Mark Holman; Label: Curb
–Considering the quality he previously displayed on “Nobody,” “Can’t Have Mine,” “My Girl,” “Crazy Over Me” and the splendid current rocker “New Truck,” the title tune of Scott’s upcoming album is a bit of a disappointment. The generic production kinda goes in one ear and out the other.
CHAPEL HART / “Made For Me”
Writers: Danica Hart/Devynn Hart/Trea Swindle; Producers: Jack Meile/Brentt Arcement; Label: CH
–This joyous bopper traces the totally talented trio’s journey from Poplarville, Mississippi to New Orleans. From there, these gifted gals made the trip to Music City, where surely country stardom awaits. The hooky song is irresistible. The production is dandy. The vocals are splendid. Chapel Hart rules.
MAREN MORRIS / “Humble Quest”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Maren Morris/Laura Veltz; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: Columbia
–The title tune of Morris’s new album is a moody, oblique thumper. It sounds like she continues to aspire to pop stardom.
BRANTLEY GILBERT & JASON ALDEAN / “Rolex on a Redneck”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Michael Hardy/Randy Montana/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Brock Berryhill/Brantley Gilbert; Label: Valory
–All the brand-name shout-outs can’t disguise the overwhelming dullness of this tuneless, repetitive outing. I was so bored I practically nodded off.
THE ISAACS / “Humpty Dumpty Heart”
Writers: Sonya Isaacs/Becky Isaacs Bowman/Ronnie Bowman; Producers: Ben Isaacs/Bryan Sutton; Label: House of Isaacs
–These new Grand Ole Opry members sing like angels. With Sonya’s celestial soprano leading the way, the group’s harmonies carry this lilting message along while mandolin, guitar, dobro and bass ripple rhythmically. Heartbroken? Pick yourself up, put the pieces back together and carry on.
HANK WILLIAMS JR. / “.44 Special Blues”
Writers: Robert Johnson; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
–Bocephus has always been a bluesman at heart, and that is what is celebrated on his upcoming album. Producer Auerbach recorded him live, singing and playing classics as well as new songs. This advance single is as pure and unadulterated as can be.
JAKE OWEN / “Up There Down Here”
Writers: Zach Dyer/Summer Overstreet/Travis Wood; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–The hooky track rolls on relentlessly with a happy thump. Owen drawls the Saturday-night/Sunday-morning lyric with easy-going charm. Absolutely play this.
CB30 / “Don’t Say Goodnight”
Writers: Christian Clementi/Dallas Wilson/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Buena Vista/UMG
–The wafting, boyish, romantic vibe is pleasing, and their twin-like vocal harmony blend is outstanding. The duo’s billing is derived from the brothers’ first names, Christian and Brody (Clementi), plus the fact that they were both born on the 30th day of the month (May 30, 2001 and March 30, 2004, respectively).
DREW PARKER / “Raised Up Right”
Writers: Drew Parker/Matt Jenkins/Ben Hayslip; Producers: Phil O’Donnell/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Frequent Luke Combs songwriting collaborator Drew Parker has also been making waves as a record maker. His engaging, country boy tenor drawl is warm and endearing on this earthy, positive ditty. He sounds like he’d be a pleasure to have a beer with.
The Judds To Reunite For CMT Music Awards Performance
/by Lydia FarthingThe Judds
5x Grammy-winning duo The Judds will reunite for the first time in more than two decades as they mark their first performance on the 2022 CMT Music Awards. Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, the show will broadcast live from Nashville on Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. CT on CBS and Paramount+*.
One of the most successful duos in country music history, Wynonna and Naomi Judd will perform their international hit and chart-topping single, “Love Can Build A Bridge” with the Country Music Hall of Fame as their background, signaling a nod to the duo’s upcoming 2022 induction this May.
2x CMT Music Awards nominee Kacey Musgraves will introduce the duo’s performance and acknowledge the lasting influence that The Judds’ music has had on her career.
The mother-daughter duo celebrated a stretch of 14 No. 1 hits as each single released by Curb/RCA landed in the Billboard top 10. The Judds also dominated touring in the ‘80s with 20 top 10 hits and have sold more than 20 million albums. Together, The Judds have 16 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum albums.
Other previously announced performers for the CMT Music Awards include Ballerini, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, and Keith Urban. Rising stars Priscilla Block, Breland, Jessie James Decker, Parker McCollum, Elvie Shane and Caitlyn Smith will also appear on the Ram Trucks Side Stage.
Fan voting for the 2022 CMT Music Awards is now open at vote.cmt.com. For a full list of nominations, click here.
Judah & The Lion Experience ‘Revival’ On Upcoming Summer Release
/by Lydia FarthingJudah & the Lion
Judah & the Lion will release their fourth full-length studio album, Revival, on June 10 via Cletus the Van/Virgin Music. Their next single, “Happy Life,” along with its accompanying music video is available now.
The new album was recorded at Echo Mountain in Asheville, North Carolina, and finds the band trying to recapture the innocence of their youth, embracing the sadness of the last few years, and welcoming the future with a renewed energy resembling that of the group’s early days.
For Revival, frontman Judah Akers tackles grief and anxiety at home without the ability to shut out his emotions with non-stop touring. “Being home and not getting to mask my emotions with being on tour and being around crowds was big,” he shares. “It’s an easy distraction because you can avoid dealing with it emotionally. You can get on stage and perform, and everything’s fine.”
Band member Brian Macdonald also had a journey in finding peace as his wife attended a graduate program in Sweden, thousands of miles from home. As the world slowed to a halt, he had to find comfort in Visby Island’s cold, lonely, and grey terrain.
Also during the last few tumultuous years, founding member Nate Zuercher told the group that he was leaving the band. As a result, Macdonald picked up the banjo, trying his best to fill the void Zuercher left, but ultimately offering a new style and energy, all of which is reflected on the upcoming project.
The band will be performing at Bonnaroo on June 18, as well as the Wonderfront Festival from Nov. 18-20 in San Diego.
1. Open Your Eyes
2. Take A Walk
3. scream!
4. HAPPY LIFE
5. Blue Eyes
6. Landslide
7. make me a kid again
8. Revival
9. Find Another Reason Why
10. Be Here Now
11. Things Are Looking Up
CMA Presents International Awards In Sydney & London To The Shires, Michael Chugg, More
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Helen Thomas, Head of Station at BBC Radio 2; Bob Harris, OBE, Presenter at BBC Radio 2; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; The Shires’ Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle; and Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA
The CMA awarded four of its 2021 CMA International Awards this month in Sydney and London.
“The CMA International Awards honor some of the many individuals that we are proud to know and work with in our international country community,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “As country music continues to develop and expand its audiences around the world, we could not do what we do without the work and resources these individuals put in to build and promote country music in their market. We are grateful for their continued support and thrilled to honor them with these awards.”
Pictured (L-R): Natalie Waller, Head of ABC Music and Events, Michael Chugg, Susan Heymann, Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Touring, and Jeremy Dylan, CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment. Photo: Mia Maclean
Australian promoter Michael Chugg was awarded the Rob Potts International Live Music Advancement Award through a video message from Morgan Evans (whose longtime manager was Potts); CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern, Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito, and Australian country artist Casey Barnes.
While in London, Absolute Radio Country U.K. broadcaster Baylen Leonard was awarded the International Country Broadcaster Award; Ricky Marshall, Program Manager at Absolute Radio Country, was presented with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award; and U.K. Country duo, The Shires were awarded the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award during C2C weekend in London.
Pictured (L-R): Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development, Ricky Marshall, Baylen Leonard, and Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Luke Dyson/CMA
Trahern presented Leonard and Marshall with their awards on stage at the sold-out CMA Songwriters Series event on March 10, and The Shires were presented with their award at a CMA-hosted reception on March 11.
Previously announced 2021 CMA International Award recipients include Luke Combs, who was presented the International Artist Achievement Award; and Chris York, Director of SJM Concerts and one of the founding co-promoters of Country to Country (C2C), who was presented the Jo Walker Meador International Award.
The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in six categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for country music in their local territories.
Luke Bryan Gets Raised ‘Up’ To No. 1 On MusicRow Chart
/by Alex ParryLuke Bryan continues to rise “Up,” jumping three positions into the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. “Up” was written by Jeremy Bussey, Taylor Phillips, and Bobby Pinson. This is the sixth single to go No. 1 on MusicRow from Bryan’s Born Here Live Here Die Here album.
Shaun Silva directed the music video for “Up,” which features personal videos of Bryan’s family while he was growing up as well as new footage shot in recent months, fishing with his dad, hunting with his two sons, and holding his kids for the very first time.
“When I saw the footage of my boys with both their grandfathers and then the closeup clip of my brother basically looking at me it was so overwhelming,” says Bryan. “I could not be prouder, not only of the message of this song, but also how this video turned out. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I have.”
Bryan is hitting the road on his “Raised Up Right Tour,” beginning in June. Riley Green, Mitchell Tenpenny and DJ Rock will join Bryan on the tour, which takes its name from the chorus of “Up.”
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Charles Esten, Hailey Whitters, More Join Live In The Vineyard Goes Country Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughLive In The Vineyard Goes Country has added more talent to the lineup for the upcoming slate of shows, set for April 26-28 in Napa Valley, California.
Kassi Ashton and Charles Esten are set to perform on the Mainstage at The Uptown Theatre on Wednesday, April 27; Ashley Cooke, Ashland Craft, Griffen Palmer, and Hailey Whitters will perform at the Send-Off Brunch at Domaine Chandon on Thursday, April 28; and Nashvillains and Cali Tucker will perform at private VIP events taking place at wineries throughout Napa Valley.
Previously announced talent for Live In The Vineyard Goes Country 2022 include Jessie James Decker, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Joe Nichols at the Opening Reception at Charles Krug on April 26; Hannah Ellis, Jameson Rodgers, and Lee Brice at the VIP Tailgate at Peju, and Chase Rice, Breland, Morgan Evans, Tyler Braden, and Caroline Jones at the Mainstage event at The Uptown Theatre on April 27.
LITVGC give attendees intimate access to recording artists, premier Napa Valley wineries, and world-renowned chefs during the exclusive event. The 3-day event brings together music supervisors, radio programmers, DSP curators, label executives, VIPs, corporate hospitality groups, and more from around the country to hear brand new music by today’s artists as well as the most popular emerging artists.
Tin Pan South Night Two Features Hillary Lindsey, Lee Thomas Miller, Chris DeStefano
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Chris DeStefano, Lee Thomas Miller, and Wendell Mobley performing in Songs Meet Symphony (stage sponsored by Visit Music City) at the late 3rd & Lindsley show. Photo: Tin Pan South/Sydney Zuyus
More great music was the highlight of a rainy Nashville night on Wednesday (March 30) as Tin Pan South presented more great shows.
For the 6 o’clock show at 3rd & Lindsley, Hillary Lindsey, Cary Barlowe, Ben Chapman, Chris LaCorte, and Meg McRee hit the stage to play some of their hits, while Round Hill songwriters Jimmy Robbins, Adam Sanders, Kevin Griffin, and Zac Maloy entertained at The Listening Room.
Artist-writers Johnny Gates, Sam Grow, Madeline Merlo, and Josh Mirenda played some tunes at the Bluebird Cafe; and Josh Dorr, Scott Stepakoff, and Tigirlilly played the Cross-Eyed Critters stage at the Graduate hotel.
Pictured (L-R): Randy Montana, Troy Cartwright, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Billy Montana, and Wynn Varble. Photo: Courtesy of BMI
During the 9 o’clock hour, Eric Dodd, Makayla Lynn, and Jason Tucker entertained in a benefit round for Songs for Sound, an organization centered on hearing health.
Andy Albert, Tofer Brown, Sarah Buxton, and Kendell Marvel entertained at The Lounge at City Winery, while Chris DeStefano, Lee Thomas Miller, and Wendell Mobley set up camp at 3rd & Lindsley for the Songs Meet Symphony round.
BMI held its annual round at the Listening Room Café with affiliates Randy Montana, Billy Montana, Wynn Varble, and Troy Cartwright performing.
Another night of shows will commence tonight (March 31) at 6 p.m. Check the Tin Pan South schedule for tonight’s shows featuring Ashley Gorley, Liz Rose, Will Weatherly, Victoria Shaw, Jimmie Allen, and more.
Pictured (L-R): Meg McCree and Ben Chapman perform at 3rd & Lindsley (stage sponsored by Visit Music City) during the early show. Photo: Tin Pan South/ Sydney Zuyus
Pictured (L-R): Josh Dorr, Tigirlilly, and Scott Stepakoff perform at the early show at Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole. Photo: Tin Pan South/Savannah Grimm
Pictured (L-R): Dalton Stanley, Sean Stemaly, Stephen Wilson Jr., Matt Roy, and Jordan Harvey at Elliston Place Soda Shop. Photo: Tin Pan South/Brittni Talley
Messina Touring Group Elevates Rachel Powers To VP
/by Lydia FarthingRachel Powers. Photo: Christy Ivie
Rachel Powers, an eight-year veteran of Messina Touring Group, has been elevated from Director of Marketing to Vice President. In her new role, Powers will take on added responsibility as she spearheads tour marketing and promotion for CMA Entertainer of the Year Eric Church and country superstar Blake Shelton.
She has been at the helm of tour marketing with Church’s “The Gather Again Tour,” which so far has reported over 547,000 in ticket sales. This follows his 2019 “Double Down Tour” that reported over 770,000 in ticket sales and set the attendance record at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium where Church became the first artist in the venue’s history to headline a solo stadium show.
An honoree on the inaugural Pollstar Impact: NextGen list in 2019 and a member of the inaugural class of the American Express Women in Music Leadership Academy, Powers has also led tour marketing at MTG for Shelton since his 2017 tour, including his latest “Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour” that sold over 152,000 tickets across 14 sold-out markets.
“Rachel has been an incredible leader within our company and is so deserving of this promotion,” notes CEO Louis Messina. “Her marketing expertise is key to the success of our tours and she adds immense value to the both the artists she works with and our internal team at MTG daily.”
Reach Powers at rachel@messinatouring.com.
CMT Adds More Programming To Its Awards Week
/by Lydia FarthingIn celebration of its first-ever CMT Music Awards Week, CMT has announced a packed week full of original programming taking place April 9-15.
The week kicks off with Hot 20 Countdown Live, the series’ first-ever live special, on April 9 at 8 a.m. CT. The three three-hour special will be hosted by Cody Alan, Rissi Palmer and Carissa Culiner, with CMT Music Awards co-host Kelsea Ballerini providing a sneak peek of the upcoming show and Carrie Underwood discussing her 23-award winning streak. The special episode will also provide more behind-the-scenes action as hosts go backstage at show rehearsals and count down the week’s top music videos with special appearances by Blake Shelton and Jimmie Allen, and performances from Palmer, Tenille Arts, Chapel Hart, and Elvie Shane.
The week’s programming will also include the official CMT Music Awards Nominee Special and the CMT Music Awards Red Carpet Special, which gives fans a front row seat to all the pre-show excitement ahead of the 2022 CMT Music Awards on CBS on Monday, April 11.
Alan and Culiner will host the CMT Music Awards Nomination Special, a half-hour celebration featuring the star-packed list of CMT Music Awards nominees on April 10 at 8 p.m. CT. Underwood will also sit down for an interview on her history with the awards show, nominees Kane Brown and Thomas Rhett will reflect on their nominated videos, and CMT Music Awards co-host Anthony Mackie will share his excitement for the upcoming awards.
In the hour leading up to the awards broadcast on CBS on April 11, Alan, Culiner and Ashley ShahAhmadi will welcome the night’s stars as they arrive at the CMT Music Awards Red Carpet Special at 6 p.m. CT. Jordan Davis will give a live performance of his No. 1 hit “Buy Dirt” and more.
Previously announced specials slated for CMT Music Awards Week include CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends, CMT Campfire Sessions: Little Big Town and CMT Storytellers: Brooks & Dunn.
Loeb & Loeb Adds William ‘Willie’ Jones To Nashville Office
/by LB CantrellWilliam “Willie” Jones
Loeb & Loeb has announced the expansion of the entertainment department in Nashville with the hiring of William “Willie” Jones as associate attorney.
Prior to joining Loeb & Loeb, Jones worked as director of business and legal affairs for UMG Nashville. His experience includes structuring and negotiating recording agreements, distribution agreements, brand partnership agreements, audiovisual production agreements, merchandise agreements and other agreements relating to the acquisition and exploitation of intellectual property rights.
“We are ecstatic to get a lawyer of Willie Jones’ caliber to join our entertainment practice,” shares Nashville co-office administrative partners, Derek Crownover and Tiffany Dunn, in a joint statement. “He will have an immediate positive impact on our ability to service our artist, producer, songwriter and business clients around the globe.”
“During my time working in the music industry, I’ve been consistently impressed by the quality of work and professionalism displayed by the Loeb & Loeb team. The firm’s talent and experience are second to none, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to contribute to their continued success,” adds Jones.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Isaacs Give A Handful Of Hope On ‘Humpty Dumpty Heart’
/by Robert K OermannIt’s a pop-country day here at DISClaimer.
With Maren Morris, The Brethren, Ya’Boyz and CB30 setting the pace, there was plenty of youthful verve in the listening session. And CB30 caps it by winning this week’s DISCovery Award.
That said, there was still some dandy regulation-country listening. Most especially from Chapel Hart, Jake Owen, Drew Parker and our Disc of the Day winners, The Isaacs.
THE BRETHREN / “Staring at Stars”
Writers: Chad Chapin/Lonnie Chapin/Casey Parnell/Corey Parnell/Brian White/Barry Zito; Producer: The Brethren; Label: OneRPM
–Beautifully harmonized and lushly melodic, this bit of pop-country ear candy evokes summer romance and vacation joy. The luxurious, layered production ain’t exactly down home, but it is mighty, mighty pretty.
DONNA FARGO / “One of the Good Guys”
Writers: Donna Fargo; Producer: Stan Silver; Label: PrimaDonna
–Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Donna Fargo is renowned for “Funny Face,” “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA” and a string of other hits in the 1970s and 1980s. Her career was a partnership with husband/manager/producer Stan Silver, whom she lost to COVID last year. Donna’s new All Because of You EP contains the songs they were working on at the time of his death. It leads off with this celebration of his love. The tenor-sax riffs in the arrangement add depth to her sweetly sincere, heartfelt delivery.
YA’BOYZ / “Ya’Boyz”
Writers: Zach Kale/Joe Ragosta/Joseph Patton/Nick Zinnanti; Producers: Zach Kale/Joe Ragosta/NCKSZN; Label: MCA/Republic
–This energetic collaboration features High Valley, Filmore, Levi Hummon, Kyle Clark and Jojo Mason. Group members Kale and Ragosta lead the way on a loud, backwoods banger that sports rock percussion, hick-hop vocals and plenty of redneck imagery. Rowdy and fun sounding, if not exactly my cup of tea.
DYLAN SCOTT / “Livin’ My Best Life”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Thomas Rhett/Corey Crowder; Producers: Will Weatherly/Matt Alderman/Jim Ed Norman/Curt Gibbs/Mark Holman; Label: Curb
–Considering the quality he previously displayed on “Nobody,” “Can’t Have Mine,” “My Girl,” “Crazy Over Me” and the splendid current rocker “New Truck,” the title tune of Scott’s upcoming album is a bit of a disappointment. The generic production kinda goes in one ear and out the other.
CHAPEL HART / “Made For Me”
Writers: Danica Hart/Devynn Hart/Trea Swindle; Producers: Jack Meile/Brentt Arcement; Label: CH
–This joyous bopper traces the totally talented trio’s journey from Poplarville, Mississippi to New Orleans. From there, these gifted gals made the trip to Music City, where surely country stardom awaits. The hooky song is irresistible. The production is dandy. The vocals are splendid. Chapel Hart rules.
MAREN MORRIS / “Humble Quest”
Writers: Jimmy Robbins/Maren Morris/Laura Veltz; Producer: Greg Kurstin; Label: Columbia
–The title tune of Morris’s new album is a moody, oblique thumper. It sounds like she continues to aspire to pop stardom.
BRANTLEY GILBERT & JASON ALDEAN / “Rolex on a Redneck”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Michael Hardy/Randy Montana/Taylor Phillips; Producers: Brock Berryhill/Brantley Gilbert; Label: Valory
–All the brand-name shout-outs can’t disguise the overwhelming dullness of this tuneless, repetitive outing. I was so bored I practically nodded off.
THE ISAACS / “Humpty Dumpty Heart”
Writers: Sonya Isaacs/Becky Isaacs Bowman/Ronnie Bowman; Producers: Ben Isaacs/Bryan Sutton; Label: House of Isaacs
–These new Grand Ole Opry members sing like angels. With Sonya’s celestial soprano leading the way, the group’s harmonies carry this lilting message along while mandolin, guitar, dobro and bass ripple rhythmically. Heartbroken? Pick yourself up, put the pieces back together and carry on.
HANK WILLIAMS JR. / “.44 Special Blues”
Writers: Robert Johnson; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
–Bocephus has always been a bluesman at heart, and that is what is celebrated on his upcoming album. Producer Auerbach recorded him live, singing and playing classics as well as new songs. This advance single is as pure and unadulterated as can be.
JAKE OWEN / “Up There Down Here”
Writers: Zach Dyer/Summer Overstreet/Travis Wood; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
–The hooky track rolls on relentlessly with a happy thump. Owen drawls the Saturday-night/Sunday-morning lyric with easy-going charm. Absolutely play this.
CB30 / “Don’t Say Goodnight”
Writers: Christian Clementi/Dallas Wilson/Trannie Anderson; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Buena Vista/UMG
–The wafting, boyish, romantic vibe is pleasing, and their twin-like vocal harmony blend is outstanding. The duo’s billing is derived from the brothers’ first names, Christian and Brody (Clementi), plus the fact that they were both born on the 30th day of the month (May 30, 2001 and March 30, 2004, respectively).
DREW PARKER / “Raised Up Right”
Writers: Drew Parker/Matt Jenkins/Ben Hayslip; Producers: Phil O’Donnell/Scott Hendricks; Label: Warner
–Frequent Luke Combs songwriting collaborator Drew Parker has also been making waves as a record maker. His engaging, country boy tenor drawl is warm and endearing on this earthy, positive ditty. He sounds like he’d be a pleasure to have a beer with.