Clint Black is set to release his latest album, Out of Sane, on June 19. The album is his 23rd career project, and ahead of the album’s full release this summer, he has released the first single, “America (Still in Love With You)” which is now available on all digital streaming platforms.

“I wrote ‘America’ with my buddy, Steve Wariner, right before the shutdown and had intended it to be a song about unity for our country during a heated election season,” says Black. “It has taken on new meaning in light of the pandemic.”

The self-produced project features Black’s signature lead guitar and slide guitar work that has kept him one of country’s truest traditionalists. It follows his 2019 album, Still Killin’ Time, that celebrated his 30th career anniversary and featured eight live recordings of his hits and two studio songs, “This Old House” a tribute to the Ryman Auditorium, and “No One Here For Me.” Both tracks were originally written for his 1989 debut album, Killin’ Time.

​”Out of Sane is made up of all original songs, except for one cover. I recorded it with a varied collection of musicians; some from my band and some with session players. I believe it’s one of my best albums ever and I think my fans will love it. They’ve been asking for new music for a while and I’m thrilled to finally be able to deliver after five years since the last studio album,” said Black.

In tandem with the single release, Clint’s webstore will launch brand new, album-focused merchandise that will be available for pre-sale along with autographed copies of the album.  Pre-sale CDs, Vinyl, and other Out of Sane items are available at clintblack.com/store.

John Paul White and Rosanne Cash have teamed up on a new single “We’re All In This Together Now” which is out today.

The song is streaming now and is available for purchase with all proceeds benefiting the Music Health Alliance, which today announced its partnership with the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project. Spotify will match donations to its partner organizations dollar-for-dollar up to a total Spotify contribution of $10 million, and the song can be streamed on Spotify here.

“John Paul and I have been friends for years, and early on we awkwardly tossed the idea of writing a song together, but we never got around to it,” explains Cash. “The last few years have been tough. I wanted to find some little corner of community, some instinct toward unity. It was hard to find, so I figured I’d have to write it. Last year, I wrote these lyrics and sent them to John Paul. He wrote this gorgeous melody very quickly. I was so moved. But the song didn’t fit on my last record, and it didn’t fit on his last record, so it sat there waiting for just the right moment. Which is now.”

“I don’t believe I’ve ever been a part of something that foretold things to come as vividly as this song, or something that would feel so relevant months after its completion,” said White. “I loved the song, but for whatever reason it hadn’t yet seen the light of day. I had recorded a guitar/vocal of the song in my studio in Florence, Alabama. Once it dawned on me recently how prescient the song was, I asked Rosanne if she’d be willing to put her voice on it. She said, ‘I thought you’d never ask.’”

Jim Houser

The nation’s largest contemporary Christian radio network has hired Jim Houser as the organization’s first Chief Content Officer.

Houser will join Educational Media Foundation (EMF) in this newly created role, reporting directly to CEO Bill Reeves, and will oversee content for the K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks, which currently broadcast on more than 1,000 signals nationwide.

Additionally, Houser will further develop EMF’s streaming strategy, oversee the upcoming podcast platform, all marketing strategy, and the integration of EMF’s digital assets with its programming initiatives.

“I could not be more excited about the addition of Jim and his almost 30 years of experience in the Christian music business,” Reeves said. “Jim is widely respected, has an outstanding track record, and his integrity in the industry is second-to-none. His love of broadcasting and its history, married with his ability to strategize around new ideas, makes him the perfect choice to help lead EMF into the future.”

Houser’s career began in college radio and led to an opportunity with national Christian radio ministry, Focus on the Family. While editing Focus’ daily broadcast, Jim and two partners created a weekly syndicated Christian hit music show that quickly became an industry favorite airing in over 300 markets. Next, Houser joined Sparrow Records (now Capitol Christian) in radio promotions, and advanced to marketing and artist development roles. Jim was then recruited to join Creative Trust and rose to Managing Partner, where he led the team growing and supporting the careers of Steven Curtis Chapman, Mary Beth Chapman, Brandon Heath, Britt Nicole and others.

“Radio was my first love,” Houser said, “and in each role throughout my career, I’ve made it a central focus. I’m humbled to be tapped to join the EMF executive team and excited for the opportunity to collaborate with, and serve, the Christian music community, advancing redemptive art and music.”

Houser will begin his new post in May and will divide his time between EMF’s Northern California headquarters and its broadcast studios in Franklin, Tenn. He will oversee the future VP of Radio and VP of Marketing, the radio network Program Directors and additional Directors and Senior Managers.