Grammy-award winner John Paul White released his new solo album, The Hurting Kind, today (April 12) via Single Lock Records, the independent record label White founded in 2013 with Ben Tanner and Will Trapp. A video for the track “I Wish I Could Write You A Song,” was also released today.

The former The Civil Wars half will kick off his U.S. tour tonight (April 12) with a record release show in his hometown of Florence, AL before making stops at New York’s famed Bowery Ballroom, Washington DC’s Union Stage, The Troubadour in Los Angeles and more.

White sought out classic writers like Bill Anderson and Bobby Braddock to collaborate with. “Coming out of each and every one of these situations, I got a resounding thumbs-up that I was on that right track,” said White of the collaborations. “I didn’t need anybody else’s approval after that.”

The Hurting Kind was recorded at Sun Drop Sound, White’s new home studio that he converted from an old, turn-of-the-century home in the historic district of Florence, AL, and at legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. The record was co-produced with Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes) and features additional contributions from a core group of musicians including Jon Radford (Leigh Nash, Odessa) and Reed Watson on drums, Pat Bergeson (Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris) on electric guitar, Jon Estes (Robyn Hitchcock, Kesha) and David Hood (Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section) on bass and Lillie Mae (Jack White) on fiddle, plus guest vocals from Lee Ann Womack and background vocals from Erin Rae and The Secret Sisters.

“I approached this album differently on the songwriting side before I ever got into the studio,” said White. “I really wanted there to be a torch song quality to it, the classic timeless quality. To not be afraid of the big note, and not be afraid of the drama.”

The Hurting Kind Track Listing:
1. “The Good Old Days”
2. “I Wish I Could Write You a Song”
3. “Heart Like a Kite”
4. “Yesterday’s Love”
5. “The Long Way Home”
6. “The Hurting Kind”
7. “This Isn’t Gonna End Well” (featuring Lee Ann Womack)
8. You Lost Me
9. James
10. My Dreams Have All Come True

The Hurting Kind is available to stream and purchase now. For White’s touring information, visit johnpaulwhite.com/tour.

Keith Urban in the studio recording “Burden.” Photo: Keith Urban/Facebook

This past Sunday (April 7) on the 54th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Keith Urban took to the stage to deliver an emotionally charged and impassioned performance of  “Burden,” originally written and recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance. He was later crowned Entertainer of the Year.

“We played at the 02 in London and Ed (Sheeran) came out to see us play,” explains Urban. “We talked about Foy (Vance), who’s an incredible musician and songwriter. The next day, I had a day off in London, so I got on my bike and put my headphones on and road around London for like two hours listening to Foy non-stop.”

“And when I got back to Nashville, I realized that I had never seen him play live – he must be fantastic – so I jumped on YouTube and heard this song “Burden” and just fell in love with him. I thought, ‘I’d love to be able to do a version of the song – the way that I was feeling it in my heart.’”

Recorded in Nashville with co-producer Dave Cobb, the song is a “beautifully written, minimalist prayer” that Urban says spoke to him. “Like the paint that’s drying on a heart that’s broke. Let me carry your burden.”

“It’s not like this is my brand new single, it’s just a song that moved me and a recording that I hope some other people might like.”

“Burden” can now be streamed here.

ASCAP’s “I Create Music” EXPO, happening May 2-4 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angelos, CA, has added the Nashville Goes Global panel to the three day music conference. The ASCAP EXPO conference is dedicated to music creation and what it takes to be a professional music creator today, and is comprised of panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes and one-on-one sessions with industry leaders.

The Nashville Goes Global panel will explore Music City’s embrace of international sounds and trends with Ashley Gorley, Tommee Profitt, Chris Farren, Steven Battey and Dave Kuncio. The panel will give an insider’s look at the evolving music industry discussing what’s unique about co-writing and working with publishers in Nashville.

Questlove has also been added to the 2019 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO lineup for a keynote conversation with Oscar-winning songwriter and ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. He will also accept the ASCAP Creative Voice Award, given to members whose significant career achievements are equally informed by their creative spirit and their contributions to the role that a creator can play in the community. Other speakers include Lee Ann Womack,”Shallow” co-writer Anthony Rossomando, hit songwriter Jon Nite, Wyclef Jean, and more.

Visit expo.ascap.com for more information.

Aaron Lewis. Photo: Jim Wright

The Valory Music Co.’s Aaron Lewis released his third solo country album, State I’m In, today (April 12).

Buddy Cannon produced the 10-track project with Lewis; who wrote six of the songs, penning three without collaborators. Acclaimed songwriters Dan Tyminski and the late Keith Whitley also contributed to the album.

“I’m really good friends with Keith’s son, Jesse. And Jesse gave me this freaking cassette tape that had his dad in a hotel room with an acoustic guitar, barely in tune, playing what became ‘Burnt the Sawmill Down,’” Lewis says. “I took this demo tape and we turned it into the song on the record. It was never anything. I heard the song and we turned it into the song you hear on the record.”

State I’m In Track Listing:
1. “The Party’s Over “ | Aaron Lewis
2. “Can’t Take Back” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Dan Tyminski
3. “Reconsider” | Charlie Brocco, Keith Gattis
4. “It Keeps On Workin’” | Aaron Lewis, Ira Dean, Chris Wallin
5. “State I’m In” | Aaron Lewis
6. “God And Guns” | Aaron Lewis, Bobby Pinson
7. “Love Me” | Aaron Lewis
8. “If I Were the Devil” | Houston Phillips, Trent Tomlinson
9. “Burnt the Sawmill Down” | Jim Elliot, Keith Whitley
10. “The Bottom” | Waylon Payne

State I’m In is now available everywhere.

Pictured (L-R): Kenley Flynn, Cam Caldwell, Jason Turner, Matthew West, Chris Farren, Chris Van Belkom, Kelly Lyons

Matthew West has extended his exclusive publishing agreement with Combustion Music, in conjunction with his Story House Collective.

Most recently, West earned his 11th No. 1 hit with Combustion, with the five-week chart-topper “Only Jesus,” recorded by Casting Crowns. West is also a four-time Grammy nominee and a five-time ASCAP Christian Songwriter of the Year winner. He’s released seven albums and notched hits including the 17-week No. 1 “Hello, My Name Is,” “Courageous” (recorded by Casting Crowns) and the No. 1 “Broken Things.”

Combustion Music President Chris Farren said, “We have been lucky enough to work with Matthew for the past 10 years, and could not be happier to be continuing that relationship. Matthew has proven over and over his unique ability to write not only massive hit songs for himself, but for many others as well, in multiple genres. He continues to be a constant force in an industry where things change very quickly, and we look forward to four more years of great success together.”

West stated, “Since moving to Nashville years ago I’ve noticed an undeniable connection between the most successful songwriters and the belief and support of the people they’ve surrounded themselves with. Every writer needs a champion, an advocate, and for me that has been the team at Combustion. I’m excited to continue this partnership and thankful for their continued belief in the music I’m passionate about writing. I’m also looking forward to turning around and serving as an advocate and support for the young songwriters we develop together in years to come.”