Dani Taylor. Photo: Alex Berger.

Up and coming country singer-songwriter Dani Taylor released her debut, self-titled EP today (April 16).

The three-song project was produced by Grammy-nominee Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne) and Dave Thomson (Lady A, Trisha Yearwood). Taylor co-wrote all of the tracks with Sherrie Austin, who has landed 5 singles on the Billboard Hot Country chart, and Will Rambeaux, whose No. 1 hits include Faith Hill’s “Wild Ones,” Reba’s “How Was I To Know” and John Michael Montgomery’s “Hold On To Me.”

“The inspiration for this EP was the closing of my first chapter here in Nashville. I have learned so much having been here for three years. I’ve learned a lot about myself as well. This EP was a part of the recording project with the first three singles I released. It showcased everything I have learned and gone through when I first came here, and it hints at where my journey is going next,” shares Dani.

This release follows the Arizona native’s latest radio single “Table For One Drinking For Two,” which ranked in the Top 60 on Billboard’s Indicator chart. Taylor has also accumulated over 1 million streams on Spotify alone in the past eight months and received placement on Spotify’s Wild Country, New Boots, Breakout Country and Next From Nashville playlists among others.

Taylor’s debut self-titled EP is available to stream and download now.

Dani Taylor Track List:
1. Midnight Cowgirl
2. You Can Thank Me Later
3. Kiss Me If You Can

Luke Bryan dominates the country charts this week with his latest single, “Waves.” The single is most added and the has the highest debut across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow charts.

On the Billboard Country Airplay chart, Bryan debuts at No. 26 with 76 station adds and a spin gain of +1,333. On the Mediabase chart, he gained +1,375 spins and 102 station adds debuting at No. 35. On the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, “Waves” received 30 adds and +359 spins debuting at No. 48.

“Waves,” written by Zach Crowell, Ryan Hurd and Chase McGill, is the fifth single from Born Here Live Here Die Here (Deluxe Edition), which was released last Friday (April 9).

Carly Pearce, Lee Brice. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM

Carly Pearce and Lee Brice were surprised mid-interview last night (April 15) when they received an early ACM win for Music Event with their smash duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” The Platinum-certified song, co-written by Luke Combs, Randy Montana and Jonathan Singleton, also won the CMA’s Musical Event of the Year back in November.

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” is also up for Single of the Year at this weekend’s upcoming ACM Awards. The power ballad faces off against a precedent-setting all-female category that includes Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird,” Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope,” Ingrid Andress’ “More Hearts Than Mine” and Maren Morris’ “The Bones.”

“I’m over the moon on winning this award but especially happy for Carly,” says Brice of their No. 1 collaboration, which they perform live on Sunday’s (April 18) telecast. “This is her story, her song and I am honored to be a part of it. Seeing this from the very beginning from her perspective to now winning awards is full circle—and humbling but rewarding.”

“Everyone at some point in their life has found themselves caught in a relationship where you love the other person so much, yet over time, it all falls apart,” says Pearce. “When we all started talking about our lives and our journeys, every one of us had been in this position—and it’s the worst feeling. You get to a point where you have to do something, and even that doesn’t really make things better, it just creates a hole where your heart used to be. To see people respond to ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now’ the way that they have has been is incredibly affirming, because I think it makes you—wherever you are in your life—feel less alone. And having Lee’s voice, which is a bit of hurricane the way he comes in, it really brings home how hard it is for both people in these kinds of situations.”

The 56th ACM Awards will air on Sunday, April 18 at 7 p.m. CST on CBS and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Country newcomer Jackson Dean has announced he will release his debut self-titled album on on April 30 via Big Machine Records. To introduce the Maryland-born singer-songwriter to the world, Dean dropped the track  “Wings” today (April 16).

Produced by Luke Dick and Park Chisolm, the track celebrates the need to wash oneself clean and move beyond the things in life that weigh you down. With a minimal lyric, Dean’s earthy baritone echoes with both loneliness and a desire to rise above.

“When you look at me, I may look a little wild, or a little rootless,” Dean says, “and that’s probably true. I love that rock edge that country has, but I also like those songs that core into you, that get real honest over a slower track. If you want to understand me, listen to ‘Wings,’ and you’ll realize I’m not an angel, but I try to reckon on what I’ve done – and always make things right. ”