Luke Combs. Photo: David Bergman
The opposing forces of pop and country are lined up in this week’s playlist.
On one side are Adam Hambrick and Cole Swindell, polishing their pop sides. On the other side are Trace Adkins and Canaan Smith, proudly parading their country bona fides.
The Disc of the Day contest boils down to Trace, Brantley Gilbert and the winner, Luke Combs.
Shy Carter has penned hits for the likes of Rob Thomas, Sugarland, Charlie Puth, Tim & Faith, Kane Brown and more. He sounds an awful lot like a bright, shiny, new pop star on his “Good Love.” He also wins this week’s DisCovery Award.
ADAM HAMBRICK/Between Me and the End of the World
Writer: Adam Hambrick; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts; Publisher: Capitol/Buena Vista
– His wife is a physician’s assistant working on the front lines of the pandemic. This heart-tugging pop ballad is an ode to her courage.
BRANTLEY GILBERT/Hard Days
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Jay Brunswick/Logan Wall; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– I have always said this guy has one of the most underrated singing voices in country music. He is super expressive on this power ballad of survival and perseverance. The gist of it is that experiencing bad times can strengthen your character. Highly relatable.
CANAAN SMITH/Colder Than You
Writers: Canaan Smith/Corey Crowder/Jared Mullins; Producers: Canaan Smith/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley; Publisher: Georgia Song Vibez Administered by Warner Chappell; Georgia Song Vibez/ Big Crowd Publishing Administered by Warner Chappell; Tree Vibez Music/ Mullins It Over Music Administered by Warner Chappell; Round Here Records
– Solidly country, with a wry wink in the lyric and some deep twang in the production. Round Here Records is FGL’s label.
LUKE COMBS/Lovin’ On You
Writers: James McNair/Luke Combs/Ray Fulcher/Thomas Archer; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Warner Chappell/Words & Music/Big Deal, no performance rights listed; River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
– Thank goodness. At least one star is still rocking out. This upbeat rump shaker hollers “Good times!” loudly, and it’s a welcome sound. Bellow on, bro.
SHY CARTER/Good Love
Writers: Shy Carter, James Slater, Carlo Colasacco, & Micah Carter; Producer: David Garcia; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– He’s achieved massive success as a Nashville songwriter. This sounds like a strong bid for recognition as a pop prince. Yummy ear candy.
COLE SWINDELL/Single Saturday Night
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Mark Holman/Michael Hardy; Producer: Michael Carter; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– Disposable, tuneless pop-country. The florid production works overtime to dress it up into something presentable.
ERIN ENDERLIN/Fishin’ in the Dark (to be released June 19)
Writers: Jim Photoglo and Wendy Waldman; Producers: Alex Kline & Erin Enderlin; Publisher: none listed; Blaster
– Enderlin slows down the 1987 Dirt Band oldie, transforming it into a sultry, smiling, swooning, simmering outing with an emphasis on the dreamy lyric. The languid groove is irresistible.
ERIC PASLAY/On This Side of Heaven
Writers: Eric Paslay/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Eric Paslay/F. Reid Shippen; Publisher: none listed
– Absolutely lovely and immensely heart tugging. Loss and devastation have seldom sounded more beautiful. This guy is so gifted.
TRACE ADKINS/Mind on Fishin’
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Wynn Varble; Producer: Bart Butler; Publisher: none listed; Verge
– Beyond cute. The swampy groove and Trace’s always-cool singing voice are reasons enough to tune in. Here’s a reason that’s just as good: The song has wonderful hillbilly lyric: I’d rather be on the lake with my mind on God/Than in church with my mind on fishin’. Can I get an “Amen?”
EmiSunshine, Bootsy Collins Team For New Track "Stars"
/by Jessica NicholsonEmiSunshine
Teen country singer EmiSunshine has collaborated with Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Bootsy Collins on the new single, “Stars.” Proceeds from streams and downloads of the song will benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, which offers aid to help musicians and music industry members who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also collaborating on the song are Béla Fleck, Steve Jordan, Victor Wooten, Olvido Ruiz, Uché, Manou Gallou, Brian Culbertson, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Dr. Cornel West, the philosopher, professor and political activist.
Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame member Collins invited EmiSunshine, who has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry 14 times, to collaborate on the song after both artists were scheduled to appear in the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade, which was later canceled due to COVID-19.
“I was very impressed by this young lady’s depth in the world around her,” Collins said. “It is my pleasure to support EmiSunshine in her musical career. She has all the real qualities of a real person and a true star.”
“I am excited and honored to be working with Bootsy Collins,” Emi said. “We come from different musical worlds, but I have always loved exploring and incorporating other styles in my own songs. The fact that ‘Stars’ will be used to help other struggling artists makes this project even more meaningful.”
Luke Bryan’s Latest Single, "Build Me A Daddy," Out Today
/by Lorie HollabaughLuke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright
Luke Bryan is releasing a brand new song, “Build Me A Daddy,” digitally today. He’s set to perform the new song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon next Thursday (June 18).
The single is the latest offering from his upcoming seventh studio album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, due out Aug. 7, and was penned by Jake Mitchell, Josh Thompson and Brett Tyler. A video for the song, shot earlier this year south of Nashville, is being released today as well.
The album has already yielded two No. 1 hits “Knockin’ Boots,” and “What She Wants Tonight,” plus his current smash single “One Margarita.” “One Margarita” is the No. 1 most downloaded country song for two weeks in a row, and the three tracks have racked up nearly 600 million streams.
Born Here Live Here Die Here Track listing:
1. Knockin’ Boots (Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite, Gordie Sampson)
2. What She Wants Tonight (Luke Bryan, Ross Copperman, Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite)
3. Born Here Live Here Die Here (Jake Mitchell, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson)
4. One Margarita (Michael Carter, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)
5. Too Drunk To Drive (Luke Bryan, Michael Carter, Brandon Kinney)
6. Build Me A Daddy (Jake Mitchell, Josh Thompson, Brett Tyler)
7. Little Less Broken (Michael Carter, Lindsay Rimes, Matt Rogers)
8. For A Boat (Randy Montana, Josh Thompson, Mike Walker)
9. Where Are We Goin’ (Luke Bryan, Brent Cobb)
10. Down To One (Dallas Davidson, Justin Ebach, Kyle Fishman)
Whiskey Myers Reveals Firewater Music Festival Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughWhiskey Myers has weathered the pandemic in creative ways, continuing to push boundaries on what a concert can look like by streaming live from Billy Bob’s Texas to 20,000+, and performing to a sea of vehicles at the recent Texas Rangers “Concert In Your Car” series. Today, the band announces the lineup of their personally-curated Firewater Music Festival this Fall in Kansas City.
Set to perform on Oct. 2-3 at the Firewater fest in addition to Whiskey Myers are Drive-By Truckers, Whitey Morgan, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Steel Woods, Shane Smith & the Saints, Chris Knight, Bones Owens, Tennessee Jet, Jamie Wyatt and Rob Leines.
Event organizers are taking extra precautions based on guidance from health authorities including the CDC and are working in tandem with state and local government officials to ensure that the three-day event will be safe for attendees.
The festival will take place on 150 acres of meadows, ponds and wooded hills just south of Kansas City offering the ultimate outdoor lifestyle experience. In addition to the live concerts, on-site activities will include canoeing, zip-lining, rock climbing, archery and a swimming pool.
All tickets are on sale now with layaway payment plans available, and the GA and VIP tickets have discounted rates available when purchased as four-packs. For more information about the event and to purchase passes, visit FirewaterMusicFestival.com.
BMLG, CreatiVets Join Forces To Offer Musical Outlet To Combat Veterans
/by Jessica NicholsonAll songs created through the venture will be released via the Big Machine Records imprint, with Big Machine Music serving as co-publisher for CreatiVets to provide licensing, administration and royalty collection services for mentor songwriters as well as participants who opt in.
Scott and Sandi Borchetta‘s Music Has Value Fund has also contributed to CreatiVets’ operational initiatives and will continue to serve as a connector for opportunities that can magnify CreatiVets within the entertainment space.
An 11-track album, Veteran Songs, will release July 3. One of the songs from the project, “Stories,” was penned by combat veteran Geneo Graves alongside CreatiVets co-founder/executive director Richard Casper and Nashville songwriters Heidi Raye and Johnny Bulford, who also performs the recorded version of the song.
“Richard’s vision and passion to help veterans understand their value and offer them the chance to heal through creating music is nothing short of groundbreaking,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “We welcome this partnership with CreatiVets to provide therapeutic solutions not only with our record and publishing divisions but also with our Music Has Value fund, which is dedicated to providing support to music programs that educate and encourage those who aspire to make music.”<
“CreatiVets’ vision for this partnership is to be in the homes of every veteran in the United States,” said Casper. “We are so thankful that Big Machine Label Group wants to help spread our message, our music and give us the opportunity to reach thousands more veterans that may need our programing. I know that this partnership will change and save veterans’ lives.”
Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Adam Wakefield Form New Trio
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Craig Wayne Boyd, Adam Wakefield, and Casey James. Photo: Debbie Wallace.
Former musical reality show contestants Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, and Adam Wakefield have joined to form a new trio, Texas Hill. The trio has debuted the new single “Darkest Sky,” penned by Ryan Beaver, Mike Walker and James LeBlanc.
Wakefield and Boyd each competed on NBC’s The Voice, while James competed on ABC’s American Idol. The three began performing shows together in 2019 and began co-writing songs, enough to create an upcoming six-song EP to release later this year.
Carolina Story Announces Sophomore Album For September
/by Lorie HollabaughCarolina Story has released “Hold Of Me,” an inspirational, autobiographical new track about finding strength in one another while weathering life’s biggest storms. The song is featured on their upcoming new sophomore album, Dandelion, which is due out Sept. 4 on Black River Americana.
“‘Hold of Me’ is an autobiographical song about our family and chasing down a dream,” explain Carolina Story’s Ben and Emily Roberts. “It’s about holding onto and leaning on one another to keep going one day at a time in the face of wanting to give up and give in. The overall realization and truth of the matter is that the only way to keep the pieces of ourselves intact is to do it together.”
Recorded with producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Paul Moak (Joy Williams, Ashley Monroe), Dandelion is infused with Carolina Story’s organic, homespun craftsmanship and features a captivating collection of raw, to-the-heart storytelling and a lush instrumental blend of folk intimacy, country grit and alt-rock muscle. The project offers a reflective look at moments of loneliness, depression and economic hardship. “There’s just something about the dandelion that spoke to us,” said Ben. “It’s this humble, unassuming plant that’s so tough it can grow through cracks in concrete. It’s an underdog, just like us.”
John Prine’s Last Recorded Song, "I Remember Everything," Out Today
/by Lorie HollabaughJohn Prine‘s last song he ever recorded, “I Remember Everything,” is being released today. The track was penned by Prine and longtime collaborator Pat McLaughlin, and recorded last year in Prine’s living room with producer Dave Cobb and engineer Gena Johnson.
The new song, along with never-before-seen footage, debuted following last night’s “Picture Show: A Tribute Celebrating John Prine,” which included memories and performances by special guests including Eric Church, Dave Cobb, Vince Gill, Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price, and many more. The tribute has raised over $250,000 so far for NAMI, Alive and Make the Road New York, and remains available to view through the weekend at YouTube, Facebook and Twitch.
“I Remember Everything” is the first new Prine music since the release of his acclaimed Cobb-produced 2018 album, The Tree of Forgiveness. The album was Prine’s first album of new material in over 13 years and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, with over 54,000 equivalent albums sold in its first week—a career high chart position for the legendary songwriter/artist.
Weekly Radio Report (6/12/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Combs, Cole Swindell, Trace Adkins, And More
/by Robert K OermannLuke Combs. Photo: David Bergman
The opposing forces of pop and country are lined up in this week’s playlist.
On one side are Adam Hambrick and Cole Swindell, polishing their pop sides. On the other side are Trace Adkins and Canaan Smith, proudly parading their country bona fides.
The Disc of the Day contest boils down to Trace, Brantley Gilbert and the winner, Luke Combs.
Shy Carter has penned hits for the likes of Rob Thomas, Sugarland, Charlie Puth, Tim & Faith, Kane Brown and more. He sounds an awful lot like a bright, shiny, new pop star on his “Good Love.” He also wins this week’s DisCovery Award.
ADAM HAMBRICK/Between Me and the End of the World
Writer: Adam Hambrick; Producer: Andrew DeRoberts; Publisher: Capitol/Buena Vista
– His wife is a physician’s assistant working on the front lines of the pandemic. This heart-tugging pop ballad is an ode to her courage.
BRANTLEY GILBERT/Hard Days
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Brock Berryhill/Jay Brunswick/Logan Wall; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– I have always said this guy has one of the most underrated singing voices in country music. He is super expressive on this power ballad of survival and perseverance. The gist of it is that experiencing bad times can strengthen your character. Highly relatable.
CANAAN SMITH/Colder Than You
Writers: Canaan Smith/Corey Crowder/Jared Mullins; Producers: Canaan Smith/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley; Publisher: Georgia Song Vibez Administered by Warner Chappell; Georgia Song Vibez/ Big Crowd Publishing Administered by Warner Chappell; Tree Vibez Music/ Mullins It Over Music Administered by Warner Chappell; Round Here Records
– Solidly country, with a wry wink in the lyric and some deep twang in the production. Round Here Records is FGL’s label.
LUKE COMBS/Lovin’ On You
Writers: James McNair/Luke Combs/Ray Fulcher/Thomas Archer; Producer: Scott Moffatt; Publishers: Sony-ATV/Warner Chappell/Words & Music/Big Deal, no performance rights listed; River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
– Thank goodness. At least one star is still rocking out. This upbeat rump shaker hollers “Good times!” loudly, and it’s a welcome sound. Bellow on, bro.
SHY CARTER/Good Love
Writers: Shy Carter, James Slater, Carlo Colasacco, & Micah Carter; Producer: David Garcia; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– He’s achieved massive success as a Nashville songwriter. This sounds like a strong bid for recognition as a pop prince. Yummy ear candy.
COLE SWINDELL/Single Saturday Night
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Mark Holman/Michael Hardy; Producer: Michael Carter; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– Disposable, tuneless pop-country. The florid production works overtime to dress it up into something presentable.
ERIN ENDERLIN/Fishin’ in the Dark (to be released June 19)
Writers: Jim Photoglo and Wendy Waldman; Producers: Alex Kline & Erin Enderlin; Publisher: none listed; Blaster
– Enderlin slows down the 1987 Dirt Band oldie, transforming it into a sultry, smiling, swooning, simmering outing with an emphasis on the dreamy lyric. The languid groove is irresistible.
ERIC PASLAY/On This Side of Heaven
Writers: Eric Paslay/Jordan Minton/Jordan Reynolds; Producers: Eric Paslay/F. Reid Shippen; Publisher: none listed
– Absolutely lovely and immensely heart tugging. Loss and devastation have seldom sounded more beautiful. This guy is so gifted.
TRACE ADKINS/Mind on Fishin’
Writers: Aaron Raitiere/Wynn Varble; Producer: Bart Butler; Publisher: none listed; Verge
– Beyond cute. The swampy groove and Trace’s always-cool singing voice are reasons enough to tune in. Here’s a reason that’s just as good: The song has wonderful hillbilly lyric: I’d rather be on the lake with my mind on God/Than in church with my mind on fishin’. Can I get an “Amen?”
Mary Chapin Carpenter To Release New Project ‘The Dirt And The Stars’ In August
/by Lorie HollabaughMary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Aaron Farrington
Mary Chapin Carpenter has released the title track from her upcoming new album, The Dirt And The Stars, which will be released Aug. 7 on Lambent Light Records via Thirty Tigers.
Produced by Ethan Johns and recorded entirely live at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Bath, England, the album is filled with songs penned by Carpenter at her rural Virginia farmhouse before stay-at-home orders became the new normal. She describes the songs as difficult in some ways, inspired by places of hurt but also happiness as well.
“The writer Margaret Renkl once said, ‘We are all in the process of becoming.’ That doesn’t stop at a certain age,” said Carpenter of the new project. “To be always a student of art and music and life, as she says, that, to me, is what makes life worth living. It’s certainly what makes me want to still write songs. No sugar coating, the songs are very personal and they’re difficult in some ways, and definitely come from places of pain and self-illumination, but also places of joy, discovery and the rewards of self- knowledge. They arrived from looking outward as much as inward, speaking to life changes, growing older, politics, compassion, #metoo, heartbreak, empathy, the power of memory, time and place. So, I suppose I could say there are many themes, but they all come back to that initial idea that we are all constantly ‘becoming’ through art and expression.”
Carpenter has been connecting with fans during the pandemic with her successful “Songs From Home” virtual concert series, which will continue to run throughout the summer. Filmed at her home, the performances have already been viewed over 10 million times across her socials.