Megan Moroney. Photo: CeCe Dawson
When the time came for Megan Moroney to start working on her sophomore album, the breakout star was the busiest she’s ever been.
Since launching onto the scene in a big way with her double-Platinum debut hit “Tennessee Orange,” and its subsequent follow-up smashes “I’m Not Pretty” and “Girl In The Mirror,” Moroney has been shining from one major industry milestone to the next. She released her debut album Lucky to critical and commercial acclaim in 2023 and has garnered over a billion total global career streams. She’s been awarded with a CMT and MusicRow Award, and was named the New Female Artist of the Year at the 59th ACM Awards, where she reigned as the most-nominated female artist with six nods.
On the live front, Moroney has multiple sold-out headline tours now under her belt, including “The Lucky 2.0 Tour” which sold out in five minutes. After getting a taste of the major player’s game on the road with Jamey Johnson and Brooks & Dunn, Moroney graduated to opening for one of the top entertainers in live music, Kenny Chesney, where she has continued to charm stadium-sized audiences as if it were her name in the largest print.
Needless to say, she’s arrived.
Understandably, making a sophomore album in the wake of a monumental breakout success can lead to some pressure. But Moroney says she was fortunately too busy to let it get to her head.
“There’s so much pressure around your sophomore album, or at least that’s what I heard it was going to be like,” she tells MusicRow. “As soon as Lucky came out, I did see people online saying, ‘What’s her next album going to be like? Is it going to be this good or is this just a moment she’s having?’
“In theory, there was supposed to be a lot of pressure on the album, but because I was so busy touring, it didn’t happen that way,” she says. “I just kept writing songs about my life and songs that I liked. One day, I looked down and I had a whole album.”
In pockets of available writing time, Moroney crafted a 14-song album that further highlights her skill for relatability, creativity and wit with the effort, titled Am I Okay?
She says the title track set the tone for the album. Written with Luke Laird and Jessie Jo Dillon, the song finds the singer-songwriter meeting a nice guy and marveling that they do, in fact, exist within the masses of players and losers.
“Once I had written that song, I knew exactly what direction the album was going in,” Moroney says, adding that it jolted her forward in creating the project. “Then there was one day where we wrote ‘Indifferent, ’28th of June’ and ‘The Girls’ all in the same day.”
With her trusted collaborators, Moroney has further pushed herself into vulnerable subject matter, like being rejected, toxic codependency and even death, but she’s also held a steadfast grip on the empowered, slightly sly writing style that makes for a great Instagram selfie caption—see “Indifferent.”
“I always say that I have two sides. I’m either ’emo cowgirl country’ or ‘bad bitch country.’ It really just depends on what kind of mood I’m in,” she says. “When I was growing up, Miranda Lambert is an artist that [helped inspire that in me]. She has very vulnerable songs like ‘Tin Man,’ but she also has the ‘I’ll burn your house down’ songs.”
When Moroney was in her “emo cowgirl country” mood making Am I Okay?, she mined deep. She tackles anniversaries that sting on “28th of June,” and the death of a loved one on “Heaven By Noon.” She sends emotional well-wishes to a past love on “Hope You’re Happy,” loses a guy to a beauty queen on “Miss Universe” and debates on starting up a situationship again on the previously-released fan favorite “No Caller ID.”
On “Mama, I Lied,” Moroney lets her mother in on her pain. With the first line of the chorus saying, “Mama, I lied, he ain’t a good guy. He makes me cry sometimes out of the blue,” connections could be drawn to her “Tennessee Orange,” where Moroney tells her mama that the boy she’s met doesn’t make her cry.
“In early college, [I would sometimes] lie to my mom about a guy being nice because I wanted her to like him if we ended up being together. I wouldn’t tell her the whole truth of how he was treating me. Because once you tell your, mom she doesn’t forgive,” she says of the song.
A highlight on the album comes with “I Know You,” a track that finds Moroney mournfully accepting that she’s being cheated on again. While the lyrics are uncomfortably relatable to anyone who’s been through it, the stirring melody of the track reflects the feeling of a toxic pattern.
“I love all the layered harmonies on that song,” Moroney says. “It almost didn’t make the album because it sounded so different, but I like that about the song.”
The album’s “Hell of a Show” is another lyrical highlight. The short song finds the star who seems to have it made, with her name in marquee lights and fans wrapped around the building, but in reality, she leaves the stage to cry herself to sleep over her partner’s treatment of her. Written solely by Moroney, the star says it was just an honest struggle she needed to get out after one of her shows.
Another highlight from Am I Okay? is Moroney’s arena-sized “Man On The Moon,” a fun romp about needing lightyears of space from an aggravating guy.
“That song is so fun to sing live,” she says. “Because I’ve been on tour so much and the venues are getting bigger, we wanted some more powerhouse songs. The live show was definitely something I considered in the writing process.”
Written with Jessie Jo Dillon, Jessi Alexander and Connie Harrington, “Noah” is a stand-out of the tunes that were not previously released. In a hilariously-quintessential songwriter fashion, it’s not about a past love, just someone whose name sparked Moroney’s intrigue as a song title.
“Noah is someone I met platonically as friends. I literally thought to myself ‘That would be a great song title.’ The name Noah sings really well,” she says. “I thought, ‘How can I write a song about this guy that I don’t know at all? That’s kind of creepy.’
“The Notebook is my favorite movie in the world. It’s not the exact story, obviously Allie and Noah weren’t listening to Eric Church [like the characters in the song], but it’s written from of Allie’s point of view when she was about to marry that other guy but still thinking about Noah.”
Sonically, Moroney has mostly stayed in the groove of her previous music for Am I Okay? Collaborating once again with hitmaker Kristian Bush for production, she recorded the album at Blackbird Studios in Nashville and was meticulous in making sure the album reflected her desire for an organic sound.
“Kristian is brilliant. He knows so much about music in general and he has helped me create my sound,” Moroney says. “I think you can tell that real musicians are playing on my album. That’s really important to me. My biggest fear when making an album is it sounding like it was put into a formula that sounds like everything else. Kristian makes sure that we stay away from that.”
With her new album out in the world, Moroney will undoubtedly stay busy. After she finishes out Chesney’s tour, she will head overseas in September for her “Georgia Girl Tour,” where she will leave more adoring fans in her wake.
Morgan Wallen Adds Neyland Stadium Show To ‘One Night At A Time Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughIt’s no secret his blood runs orange, and now Tennessee native and Vols fan Morgan Wallen is set to headline a special show at Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium this fall.
Featuring special guests Hardy and fellow Tennessee native Ernest, the Sept. 22 show bookends his “One Night At A Time Tour“ with a show he’s always wanted to headline.
“I’ve had the honor of playing in a lot of college, MLB and NFL stadiums the past two years, but getting to play to my hometown at Neyland Stadium, nothing tops this for a boy from East Tennessee,” shares Wallen, who reactivated his Instagram to share the news.
Tickets for the stadium show go on sale at 11 a.m ET on Wednesday (July 17) at MorganWallen.com. Fans can also purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, guided backstage tour, group photo on the stage, invitation to the VIP Lounge, VIP-exclusive gift item and more.
Before his Neyland show, Wallen will kick off his first-ever European tour on Aug. 28 in Stockholm, Sweden. The seven-show run will include additional stops in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Glasgow and more before concluding with two back-to-back nights in Dublin.
Lisa Smoot Joins Big Loud Records’ Promotion Staff
/by LB CantrellLisa Smoot. Photo: Brayln Kelly Smith
Big Loud Records has added Lisa Smoot to its award-winning promotion staff. Effective immediately, she joins as Director, Secondary Promotion.
“This is a long overdue move as Lisa has been a day one Big Loud partner,” shares newly-promoted EVP, Promotion Stacy Blythe. “Her passion and positive attitude are contagious, and we are thrilled to have her on our team!”
Smoot joins Big Loud after nearly 20 years with Jerry Duncan Promotions, where she rose from Promotions Coordinator to Vice President of the company. In 2023, she was honored with the CRS / Country Aircheck Award for Independent Promotion Executive of the Year.
“No words can describe my excitement about officially joining the Big Loud family,” says Smoot. “I remember when Seth [England] and Craig [Wiseman] brought Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley to our office at Jerry Duncan Promotions 12 years ago and listening to ‘Cruise’ to consider for promotion in secondary markets. Big Loud has always thought outside the box and is constantly reinventing how things are done. I am honored, humbled, and privileged to be offered this opportunity to work under the guidance of Seth, Stacy, [Big Loud VP of Promotion] Tyler [Waugh], and the entire promotion team as I dive head-first into a new journey where every day is a chance to redefine success.”
Reach Smoot at lisa@bigloud.com.
Mitchell Tenpenny To Drop ‘The 3rd’ Studio Album In September
/by Liza AndersonMitchell Tenpenny plans to drop his third studio album, The 3rd, on Sept. 20 via Riser House/Sony Music Nashville.
The 20-track project, which will be available on vinyl and CD, aims to be Tenpenny’s most authentic and adventurous album yet. The recently-released title track is named after the Platinum artist, whose full name is James Mitchell Tenpenny III. Written by Tenpenny, Andy Albert, Devin Dawson and Paul DiGiovanni, the tune seeks to be a testament to his personal growth and artistic evolution.
Tenpenny’s goal was to craft a collection that resonates with his own experiences and showcases his maturity as a man, singer-songwriter and storyteller.
“I want this record to be all over the place,” says Tenpenny. “I want somebody to be able to find their song in the record, something that helps them or just something stylistically different from everything else. It just encapsulates everything I’ve done and all the genres I’ve loved.”
The 3rd Track Listing:
1. “The 3rd” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Andy Albert, Devin Dawson, Paul DiGiovanni)
2. “Good Thing Going” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Matt Alderman, Josh Melton, Dallas Wilson)
3. “Bigger Mistakes” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear, Michael Whitworth)
4. “Woke Up in a Dream” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Thomas Archer, Kyle Fishman, Michael Tyler)
5. “Iris” (John Rzeznick)
6. “I Won’t” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Kyle Fishman, Rafe Tenpenny)
7. “Guess We’ll Never Know (feat. Colbie Caillat)” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Jaten Dimsdale, Christian Griswold, Jimmy Robbins, Dallas Wilson)
8. “Not Today” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Chris DeStefano, Claire Douglas, Michael Whitworth)
9. “Smoke” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Rodney Clawson, Ashley Gorley, Jordan Schmidt)
10. “Set It in Stone” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Andy Albert, Chris DeStafano)
11. “Make It Rain” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Devin Dawson, Zach Kale)
12. “Started Stoppin'” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Jordan Schmidt)
13. “Well Whiskey” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Jordan Schmidt, Michael Whitworth)
14. “Same Moon” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Paul DiGiovanni, Derrick Southerland, Dallas Wilson)
15. “Breaking My Heart” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Jordan Schmidt)
16. “Long Way to Go” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Thomas Archer, Kyle Fishman)
17. “Head Start on a Heartbreak” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson)
18. “Fall Back in It” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Jared Mullins, Ben Stennis, Michael Whitworth)
19. “Demon or Ghost (feat. Underoath)” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Spencer Chamberlain, Aaron Gillespie, Jordan Schmidt)
20. “Tennessee in Me” (Mitchell Tenpenny, Matt Jenkins, Dallas Wilson)
Industry Ink: Luke Combs, Chris LeDoux, ACM Lifting Lives, The Archives Nashville
/by Liza AndersonCMHOFM & Luke Combs Host Writers Round In Support Of New Exhibit
Pictured (L–R): Drew Parker, Ray Fulcher, Luke Combs, James McNair and Rob Williford. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Luke Combs hosted a sold-out writers round in support of the new exhibit, “Luke Combs: The Man I Am,” yesterday (July 11).
During the event, Combs was joined by Drew Parker, Ray Fulcher, James McNair and Rob Williford. The four performed songs they have written together and shared the stories behind them. The round was filmed and will premiere as part of the museum’s “Live At The Hall” digital series this fall.
Chris LeDoux’s ‘This Cowboy’s Hat’ Goes Platinum
Pictured (L-R): Jackie Jones, Ned LeDoux, Jeff Carter, Lane Turner and Lori Christian. Photo: Courtesy of UMG Nashville
Friends and family of late cowboy and singer-songwriter Chris LeDoux gathered to celebrate the Platinum certification of his song “This Cowboy’s Hat” as well as the debut of its official music video at Friends In Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville.
Joined by RIAA’s Jackie Jones and UMG Nashville’s Lori Christian, Ned LeDoux accepted the plaque commemorating the achievement on his father’s behalf. The venue’s staff donned “Just LeDoux It” shirts as the crowd celebrated LeDoux’s life and legacy and watched the music video on a big screen together.
ACM Lifting Lives, SENSE Theatre & More Partner For Autism Research Program
SENSE Theatre ACM Lifting Lives 2024 Summer Camp participants performing Hats. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives recently hosted its annual SENSE Theatre ACM Lifting Lives 2024 Summer Camp in partnership with SENSE Theatre, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and Vanderbilt University Department of Theatre. The two-week program is designed to improve the social and emotional functions of those on the spectrum through theatrical intervention.
13 youth participants with autism spectrum disorder gathered in Nashille to join counselors as they rehearsed for the program’s finale—two public performances of Hats—which took place June 28–29 at Vanderbilt University’s Langford Auditorium. Participants were also treated to a surprise, acoustic performance from The Band Loula.
The Archives Nashville’s Inaugural Artist Tag Sale Raises $31K For CMA Foundation
Pictured (L–R): CMA’s Victoria Rutledge, Lindsey Morrison, The Archives Nashville’s Alexandra Karalash, Tiffany Gifford, CMA’s Tiffany Kerns and Michelle Kirk. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Association
The Archives Nashville’s inaugural Artist Tag Sale raised $31,102.21 for the CMA Foundation during this year’s CMA Fest. The sale featured wardrobe items from country stars, including Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, Tyler Hubbard, Tiera Kennedy, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll and Bailey Zimmerman.
“We were excited to bring this unique shopping experience to CMA Fest and support the CMA Foundation’s incredible work,” shares Tiffany Gifford, Founder of The Archives Nashville. “Fans got the chance to own a piece of their favorite artists’ wardrobe while contributing to a cause that nurtures the next generation of musicians and educators, and we are already brainstorming ways to turn this into an even bigger event next year.”
Uncle Kracker Offers A Needed Escape On New LP ‘Coffee & Beer’
/by Lorie HollabaughUncle Kracker. Photo: Laura E. Partain
Uncle Kracker‘s first new full-length album in more than a decade, Coffee & Beer, is out today (July 12) via Sturgeon General Records.
The new 13-track project is available now on all streaming platforms, and much like he’s done over the course of his entire career, he’s breaking down genre walls with his blend of country, pop and rock with a dash of hip-hop, and staying true to his non-conformist roots on the brand new LP.
Working once more with longtime collaborator and producer, Josh Bright, Uncle Kracker holds nothing back on Coffee & Beer. From “Sweet 16” pulling at your heartstrings to “Beach Chair” amping up for a beachside rager, the singer-songwriter’s latest project caters to all moods and vibes and offers a retreat from the madness of everyday life these days.
“These are strange times we are livin’ in,” says Uncle Kracker. “Coffee & Beer is not a reflection of them. It’s an escape from this nonsense. And a cheers to something better coming.”
Kracker will share the new tunes with fans during a jam-packed summer of shows both solo and with Kenny Chesney on his “Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour.”
Coffee & Beer Track List:
“High On My Horse”
“Coffee & Beer”
“Reason To Drink”
“Life Goes On”
“Just Like That”
“Cruising Altitude”
“Beach Chair”
“Get Back Home”
“Lonely Lets You Down”
“You Should’ve Loved Me”
“Rockabye”
“Sweet 16”
“Mark On Me”
Round Hill Music Signs Brandon Day
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L–R): Round Hill’s Taylor Antle, Brandon Day, Round Hill’s Lindsay Will and Mike Whelan
Round Hill Music has signed songwriter and producer Brandon Day to an exclusive publishing deal.
After playing in rock bands, the North Carolina native decided to move to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting, and has since penned tunes recorded by Brantley Gilbert, Randall King, Granger Smith and Eli Young Band. Day has also worked with Gilbert on the production side as well as the Plain White T’s, Austin Burke and Steven Lee Olsen.
“I’ve been a fan of Brandon for years and am so excited that we get to work together in his new chapter at RHM,” says Round Hill Sr. Director of A&R Lindsay Will. “He’s the full package as a songwriter; he can write, sing and fully-produce an unbelievable track. Not to mention, he has the most incredible work ethic and is a joy to be around.”
“I’m so proud to be a new addition to Round Hill’s growing roster,” shares Day. “It is truly such a blessing finding people who believe in what I can do in the writing room. I couldn’t be more excited to have such a stellar team working my songs, and to see what we can accomplish in the coming future.”
Sidewalk Prophets Celebrate Gold Certifications During Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L–R): Curb’s Jonathan Mason, Great Big Family Entertainment’s Ben McDonald, Dave Frey, Curb’s Brian Thiele, Cal Joslin, Daniel Macal and Curb’s Trevor Mathiesen
Sidewalk Prophets made their Grand Ole Opry debut on Tuesday (July 9).
The Curb Records band performed their current single, “Hurt People (Love Will Heal Our Hearts),” and surprised the audience by welcoming American Idol season 21 runner-up Megan Danielle onstage for “Looking Up.”
During the special evening, they also celebrated the Gold certification of three singles: “The Words I Would Say,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Christian Airplay charts; “You Love Me Anyway,” which peaked at No. 1; and “Live Like That,” which peaked at No. 2.
“Playing the Opry has been a lifelong dream,” shares Sidewalk Prophets frontman Dave Frey. “Stepping on that stage reminds me that God is so good and that our journey has been blessed beyond measure!”
The group recently wrapped their 20-city “Songs & Stories Tour,” and plan to release new music later this month.
Megan Moroney Propels Further Into Country Stardom With Sophomore Album [Interview]
/by LB CantrellMegan Moroney. Photo: CeCe Dawson
When the time came for Megan Moroney to start working on her sophomore album, the breakout star was the busiest she’s ever been.
Since launching onto the scene in a big way with her double-Platinum debut hit “Tennessee Orange,” and its subsequent follow-up smashes “I’m Not Pretty” and “Girl In The Mirror,” Moroney has been shining from one major industry milestone to the next. She released her debut album Lucky to critical and commercial acclaim in 2023 and has garnered over a billion total global career streams. She’s been awarded with a CMT and MusicRow Award, and was named the New Female Artist of the Year at the 59th ACM Awards, where she reigned as the most-nominated female artist with six nods.
On the live front, Moroney has multiple sold-out headline tours now under her belt, including “The Lucky 2.0 Tour” which sold out in five minutes. After getting a taste of the major player’s game on the road with Jamey Johnson and Brooks & Dunn, Moroney graduated to opening for one of the top entertainers in live music, Kenny Chesney, where she has continued to charm stadium-sized audiences as if it were her name in the largest print.
Needless to say, she’s arrived.
Understandably, making a sophomore album in the wake of a monumental breakout success can lead to some pressure. But Moroney says she was fortunately too busy to let it get to her head.
“There’s so much pressure around your sophomore album, or at least that’s what I heard it was going to be like,” she tells MusicRow. “As soon as Lucky came out, I did see people online saying, ‘What’s her next album going to be like? Is it going to be this good or is this just a moment she’s having?’
“In theory, there was supposed to be a lot of pressure on the album, but because I was so busy touring, it didn’t happen that way,” she says. “I just kept writing songs about my life and songs that I liked. One day, I looked down and I had a whole album.”
In pockets of available writing time, Moroney crafted a 14-song album that further highlights her skill for relatability, creativity and wit with the effort, titled Am I Okay?
She says the title track set the tone for the album. Written with Luke Laird and Jessie Jo Dillon, the song finds the singer-songwriter meeting a nice guy and marveling that they do, in fact, exist within the masses of players and losers.
“Once I had written that song, I knew exactly what direction the album was going in,” Moroney says, adding that it jolted her forward in creating the project. “Then there was one day where we wrote ‘Indifferent, ’28th of June’ and ‘The Girls’ all in the same day.”
With her trusted collaborators, Moroney has further pushed herself into vulnerable subject matter, like being rejected, toxic codependency and even death, but she’s also held a steadfast grip on the empowered, slightly sly writing style that makes for a great Instagram selfie caption—see “Indifferent.”
“I always say that I have two sides. I’m either ’emo cowgirl country’ or ‘bad bitch country.’ It really just depends on what kind of mood I’m in,” she says. “When I was growing up, Miranda Lambert is an artist that [helped inspire that in me]. She has very vulnerable songs like ‘Tin Man,’ but she also has the ‘I’ll burn your house down’ songs.”
When Moroney was in her “emo cowgirl country” mood making Am I Okay?, she mined deep. She tackles anniversaries that sting on “28th of June,” and the death of a loved one on “Heaven By Noon.” She sends emotional well-wishes to a past love on “Hope You’re Happy,” loses a guy to a beauty queen on “Miss Universe” and debates on starting up a situationship again on the previously-released fan favorite “No Caller ID.”
On “Mama, I Lied,” Moroney lets her mother in on her pain. With the first line of the chorus saying, “Mama, I lied, he ain’t a good guy. He makes me cry sometimes out of the blue,” connections could be drawn to her “Tennessee Orange,” where Moroney tells her mama that the boy she’s met doesn’t make her cry.
“In early college, [I would sometimes] lie to my mom about a guy being nice because I wanted her to like him if we ended up being together. I wouldn’t tell her the whole truth of how he was treating me. Because once you tell your, mom she doesn’t forgive,” she says of the song.
A highlight on the album comes with “I Know You,” a track that finds Moroney mournfully accepting that she’s being cheated on again. While the lyrics are uncomfortably relatable to anyone who’s been through it, the stirring melody of the track reflects the feeling of a toxic pattern.
“I love all the layered harmonies on that song,” Moroney says. “It almost didn’t make the album because it sounded so different, but I like that about the song.”
The album’s “Hell of a Show” is another lyrical highlight. The short song finds the star who seems to have it made, with her name in marquee lights and fans wrapped around the building, but in reality, she leaves the stage to cry herself to sleep over her partner’s treatment of her. Written solely by Moroney, the star says it was just an honest struggle she needed to get out after one of her shows.
Another highlight from Am I Okay? is Moroney’s arena-sized “Man On The Moon,” a fun romp about needing lightyears of space from an aggravating guy.
“That song is so fun to sing live,” she says. “Because I’ve been on tour so much and the venues are getting bigger, we wanted some more powerhouse songs. The live show was definitely something I considered in the writing process.”
Written with Jessie Jo Dillon, Jessi Alexander and Connie Harrington, “Noah” is a stand-out of the tunes that were not previously released. In a hilariously-quintessential songwriter fashion, it’s not about a past love, just someone whose name sparked Moroney’s intrigue as a song title.
“Noah is someone I met platonically as friends. I literally thought to myself ‘That would be a great song title.’ The name Noah sings really well,” she says. “I thought, ‘How can I write a song about this guy that I don’t know at all? That’s kind of creepy.’
“The Notebook is my favorite movie in the world. It’s not the exact story, obviously Allie and Noah weren’t listening to Eric Church [like the characters in the song], but it’s written from of Allie’s point of view when she was about to marry that other guy but still thinking about Noah.”
Sonically, Moroney has mostly stayed in the groove of her previous music for Am I Okay? Collaborating once again with hitmaker Kristian Bush for production, she recorded the album at Blackbird Studios in Nashville and was meticulous in making sure the album reflected her desire for an organic sound.
“Kristian is brilliant. He knows so much about music in general and he has helped me create my sound,” Moroney says. “I think you can tell that real musicians are playing on my album. That’s really important to me. My biggest fear when making an album is it sounding like it was put into a formula that sounds like everything else. Kristian makes sure that we stay away from that.”
With her new album out in the world, Moroney will undoubtedly stay busy. After she finishes out Chesney’s tour, she will head overseas in September for her “Georgia Girl Tour,” where she will leave more adoring fans in her wake.
Greylan James Inks With Relative Music Group
/by John Nix ArledgePictured (L–R, back row): Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Relative Music Group’s Caroline Clark and Ali Matkosky. (L–R, front row): Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Greylan James, Relative Music Group’s Michael Hardy and Jesse Matkosky. Photo: Caylee Robillard
Singer-songwriter Greylan James has inked a global publishing deal with Relative Music Group in partnership with Sony Music Publishing.
“Greylan is talented across the board. He’s a great guitar player, he’s a great singer, and he’s a great songwriter,” says Michael Hardy, Partner, Relative Music Group. “The first song he turned in as a Relative writer blew me away, and I know that they are just going to keep getting better and better. I’m so excited to have Greylan on the team, and I can’t wait to hear the songs he’s going to write over the next few years.”
In 2023, the Knoxville, Tennessee native notched his first No. 1 hit with Jordan Davis’ chart-topper “Next Thing You Know.” The track went on to win ACM Song of the Year, and earned James his first CMA Award nomination for Song of the Year. He has also written tunes for Kenny Chesney, Cole Swindell, Chris Young, Bailey Zimmerman, Scotty McCreery and more. Currently, his songbook boasts over 650 million streams.
“I couldn’t feel more honored and blessed to be joining the team over at Relative,” shares James. “I’ve said for years that I want a career like Hardy; sell out arenas on the weekends and write hit songs on the weekdays. I can’t wait to learn from him and the folks that help get him there. Jesse [Matkosky], Dennis [Matkosky], Caroline [Clark], Ali [Matkosky] and the team at Sony are the dream team. It’s about to get real fun.”
Additionally, James is set to release his new single, “Who Broke Up With You,” on July 26 via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. Penned by the artist, Ashley Gorley and Brad Clawson and produced by Brock Berryhill and Jason Massey, the song follows his debut single, “Young Man.” James also plans to join Ashley Cooke on “Your Place: The Tour” this fall.
Kassi Ashton Slates Debut Album ‘Made From The Dirt’ For September
/by Lorie HollabaughKassi Ashton’s Made From The Dirt cover art. Photo: Courtesy of UMG Nashville
Kassi Ashton will release her full-length debut album, Made From The Dirt, on Sept. 20 via MCA Nashville. To celebrate the news, she has dropped a new track from the project, “Son Of A Gun.”
“This was the last song I wrote for the album,” says Ashton of the new single. “I wrote it with Jason Nix and Driver Williams, who plays guitar with Eric Church. It was the first time writing with Jason, and he warmed my heart because he had done so much research: he had stalked me on Instagram and gotten as much of a taste of who I am as he could without ever meeting me. His idea was like, ‘daughter of a gun,’ and I was like, I’d rather be called son of a gun — I always say I’m Daddy’s little boy anyway.”
Ashton kicked the year off with the buzzy fan favorite “Called Crazy,” currently in the top 40 at country radio, and she gave fans another taste of Made From The Dirt last month with “I Don’t Wanna Dance.” The new album not only showcases her one-of-a-kind signature style, but also tells her story so far. Ashton holds nothing back on the 10 songs, from the title track “Made From The Dirt” to the exhale of the finale “Juanita.” Spiking her brand of country with rock spirit and unabashed vulnerability, she proudly wears her heart on her sleeve.
Along with gearing up for the new album, Ashton will also be joining Jamey Johnson on his “What A View Tour” this month.
Made From The Dirt Track List:
1. “Made From The Dirt” (Kassi Ashton/Luke Laird/Oscar Charles)
2. “Called Crazy” (Kassi Ashton/Jared Keim/Emily Weisband)
3. “Son Of A Gun” (Kassi Ashton/Driver Williams/Jason Nix)
4. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” (Kassi Ashton/Oscar Charles/Emily Landis)
5. “The Straw” (Kassi Ashton/Luke Laird/Lori McKenna)
6. “Angels Smoke Cigarettes” (Kassi Ashton/Luke Laird/Lori McKenna/Barry Dean)
7. “The Stars Know” (Kassi Ashton/Luke Laird/Rhett Akins)
8. “Drive You Out of My Mind” (Kassi Ashton/Travis Wood/Todd Clark)
9. “‘Til The Lights Go Out” (Kassi Ashton/Oscar Charles/Natalie Hemby)
10. “Juanita” (Kassi Ashton)