There are some folk music vibes in this roundup of current country tracks.
Matt Schuster, Lizzie No and Luke Grimes all have acoustic-based tunes, shining brightly amid the rocking sounds of Eddie Montgomery, Caroline Jones, Kameron Marlowe, Bigg Vinny and Brian Kelley. Also here for your listening pleasure is country rap from C’ing Jerome as well as classy country pop from The Frontmen and straight-up, old-school R&B from Robert Finley.
But the folkies ruled the day. Luke Grimes has the Disc of the Day, and Lizzie No is taking home a DISCovery Award.
CAROLINE JONES / “Lawless”
Writers: Caroline Jones/Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good; Producers: Caroline Jones/Brandon Hood/Ric Wake; Label: CJ
– A member of Zac Brown Band since last year, Jones also continues her solo career with a new album titled Homesite. It kicks off with this fiery country-rock blast. That’s Jones on lead guitar mixed in with her spitfire delivery. Exciting stuff.
BRIAN KELLEY / “How We’re Livin'”
Writers: Brian Kelley/Micah Carpenter/Jimmy Robbins/Mark Trussell; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Big Machine Records
– A big, loud, rompin,’ stompin,’ proud-to-be-country bore.
LIZZIE NO / “Annie Oakley”
Writer: Lizzie No; Producers: Lizzie No/Graham Richman/Patrick Dillett; Label: Thirty Tigers/Miss Freedomland
– Very cool. It begins with a folkie strum then builds into a crashing acoustic rocker with stacked vocal harmonies and a haunting refrain. It is a dusty, lonely-motel road song with a languid, philosophical vocal attitude. Every note fascinated me.
EDDIE MONTGOMERY & BRYAN MARTIN / “Cost of Being Me”
Writers: Bobby Pinson/Jami Grooms/Mark McGuinn/Rusty Tabor; Producer: Nick Gibbens; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– He spends money foolishly, which mirrors his self-destructive lifestyle. As he fritters away his life and his funds, he takes stock of his situation while guitars crunch and crash around him. The powerful singing is amplified by a frothing, foaming arrangement that amps up the emotion. I’m in.
BIGG VINNY / “Battleground”
Writers: Vencent Hickerson/James McNair/Joe Ragosta/Marc Fortney; Producer: Skidd Mills; Label: BV
– Vencent Hickerson (Bigg Vinny), previously gained notoriety as a member of Trailor Choir and as a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser (where he dropped from 426 to 242 pounds). Now returning to music, he rocks out while singing of perseverance and pride. It sounds ready-made for stadium sound systems.
ELI YOUNG BAND & GEORGE BIRGE / “Amy’s Back In Austin”
Writers: Brady Seals/Stephen Allen Davis; Producer: Duane Propes/Brandyn Steen; Label: Records Nashville
– There is a new tribute album to the music of Little Texas. These two Lone Star State artists pull their talents on a remake of this sad, breezy 1995 hit. Capable. Sturdy.
C’ING JEROME / “Countrified”
Writers: Chris Jerome Blanton/Virgule Marshall; Producer: Virgule Marshall; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– It’s country rap with some goofy “wooooh” high notes wafting in the background. The slightly cheesy, relentless, spare rhythm track is also kind of quirky. Weirdly listenable.
DYLAN MARLOWE / “You See Mine”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Corey Crowder/Hunter Phelps; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– His duet single with another Dylan (Scott) continues to climb. In the meantime, he has a new solo video of this track. It’s a mean-spirited ditty about him shadowing (stalking?) his old girlfriend when she’s out on a date with someone new. He hopes that seeing his truck will ruin her night.
KAMERON MARLOWE / “Tennessee Don’t Mind”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Daniel Tashian; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– A scampering rockabilly beat rolls beneath this tempo tune. As always, Marlowe is a sterling vocalist here, hitting high notes effortlessly and wailing with fervor.
ROBERT FINLEY / “Sneakin’ Around”
Writers: Robert Finley/Dan Auerbach/Kenny Brown/Eric Deaton/Patrick Carney; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
– Finley is a master R&B showman whose blues-soaked tunes are produced in Nashville by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. On this mid-tempo groove, he demonstrates how universal “cheatin'” songs can be. Also check out his ballad “Nobody Wants To Be Lonely” and his rocker “What Goes Around.” The blind, raspy-voiced songster is not a country artist, but his vivid storytelling on these tracks kind of makes you wish he was. Finley stages his Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday evening (Dec. 9).
LUKE GRIMES / “Clay Pigeons”
Writer: Blaze Foley; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Yellowstone star Grimes continues his pursuit of country stardom with this brilliantly written folk-country outing. His relaxed, thoughtful reading of the lyric feels like he’s sitting right next you. The song comes from the late Texas tunesmith Blaze Foley. Essential listening.
THE FRONTMEN / “I Need You”
Writers: Lindsay Rimes/Matt Rogers; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Broken Bow Records
– This is a supergroup fronted by Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart. The trio’s six-song EP begins with this full-throated power ballad. They tag-team lead vocals, then combine their charismatic singing on chesty harmony choruses. These are some mighty singing men. Thrilling listening.
MATT SCHUSTER / “Last Fall”
Writers: Matt Schuster/Abram Dean/Emily Falvey/John Newsome; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Schuster continues to show immense promise. This aching, melancholy ballad of lost love hits an emotional bullseye thanks to his plaintive, penetrating tenor vocal underscored by sweetly sympathetic strings and steel. Heartbreak on the hoof.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Luke Grimes Releases ‘Relaxed, Thoughtful’ New Cover
/by Robert K OermannThere are some folk music vibes in this roundup of current country tracks.
Matt Schuster, Lizzie No and Luke Grimes all have acoustic-based tunes, shining brightly amid the rocking sounds of Eddie Montgomery, Caroline Jones, Kameron Marlowe, Bigg Vinny and Brian Kelley. Also here for your listening pleasure is country rap from C’ing Jerome as well as classy country pop from The Frontmen and straight-up, old-school R&B from Robert Finley.
But the folkies ruled the day. Luke Grimes has the Disc of the Day, and Lizzie No is taking home a DISCovery Award.
CAROLINE JONES / “Lawless”
Writers: Caroline Jones/Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good; Producers: Caroline Jones/Brandon Hood/Ric Wake; Label: CJ
– A member of Zac Brown Band since last year, Jones also continues her solo career with a new album titled Homesite. It kicks off with this fiery country-rock blast. That’s Jones on lead guitar mixed in with her spitfire delivery. Exciting stuff.
BRIAN KELLEY / “How We’re Livin'”
Writers: Brian Kelley/Micah Carpenter/Jimmy Robbins/Mark Trussell; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Big Machine Records
– A big, loud, rompin,’ stompin,’ proud-to-be-country bore.
LIZZIE NO / “Annie Oakley”
Writer: Lizzie No; Producers: Lizzie No/Graham Richman/Patrick Dillett; Label: Thirty Tigers/Miss Freedomland
– Very cool. It begins with a folkie strum then builds into a crashing acoustic rocker with stacked vocal harmonies and a haunting refrain. It is a dusty, lonely-motel road song with a languid, philosophical vocal attitude. Every note fascinated me.
EDDIE MONTGOMERY & BRYAN MARTIN / “Cost of Being Me”
Writers: Bobby Pinson/Jami Grooms/Mark McGuinn/Rusty Tabor; Producer: Nick Gibbens; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– He spends money foolishly, which mirrors his self-destructive lifestyle. As he fritters away his life and his funds, he takes stock of his situation while guitars crunch and crash around him. The powerful singing is amplified by a frothing, foaming arrangement that amps up the emotion. I’m in.
BIGG VINNY / “Battleground”
Writers: Vencent Hickerson/James McNair/Joe Ragosta/Marc Fortney; Producer: Skidd Mills; Label: BV
– Vencent Hickerson (Bigg Vinny), previously gained notoriety as a member of Trailor Choir and as a contestant on NBC’s The Biggest Loser (where he dropped from 426 to 242 pounds). Now returning to music, he rocks out while singing of perseverance and pride. It sounds ready-made for stadium sound systems.
ELI YOUNG BAND & GEORGE BIRGE / “Amy’s Back In Austin”
Writers: Brady Seals/Stephen Allen Davis; Producer: Duane Propes/Brandyn Steen; Label: Records Nashville
– There is a new tribute album to the music of Little Texas. These two Lone Star State artists pull their talents on a remake of this sad, breezy 1995 hit. Capable. Sturdy.
C’ING JEROME / “Countrified”
Writers: Chris Jerome Blanton/Virgule Marshall; Producer: Virgule Marshall; Label: Average Joes Entertainment
– It’s country rap with some goofy “wooooh” high notes wafting in the background. The slightly cheesy, relentless, spare rhythm track is also kind of quirky. Weirdly listenable.
DYLAN MARLOWE / “You See Mine”
Writers: Dylan Marlowe/Corey Crowder/Hunter Phelps; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– His duet single with another Dylan (Scott) continues to climb. In the meantime, he has a new solo video of this track. It’s a mean-spirited ditty about him shadowing (stalking?) his old girlfriend when she’s out on a date with someone new. He hopes that seeing his truck will ruin her night.
KAMERON MARLOWE / “Tennessee Don’t Mind”
Writers: Charles Kelley/Daniel Tashian; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– A scampering rockabilly beat rolls beneath this tempo tune. As always, Marlowe is a sterling vocalist here, hitting high notes effortlessly and wailing with fervor.
ROBERT FINLEY / “Sneakin’ Around”
Writers: Robert Finley/Dan Auerbach/Kenny Brown/Eric Deaton/Patrick Carney; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Label: Easy Eye Sound
– Finley is a master R&B showman whose blues-soaked tunes are produced in Nashville by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. On this mid-tempo groove, he demonstrates how universal “cheatin'” songs can be. Also check out his ballad “Nobody Wants To Be Lonely” and his rocker “What Goes Around.” The blind, raspy-voiced songster is not a country artist, but his vivid storytelling on these tracks kind of makes you wish he was. Finley stages his Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday evening (Dec. 9).
LUKE GRIMES / “Clay Pigeons”
Writer: Blaze Foley; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Yellowstone star Grimes continues his pursuit of country stardom with this brilliantly written folk-country outing. His relaxed, thoughtful reading of the lyric feels like he’s sitting right next you. The song comes from the late Texas tunesmith Blaze Foley. Essential listening.
THE FRONTMEN / “I Need You”
Writers: Lindsay Rimes/Matt Rogers; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Broken Bow Records
– This is a supergroup fronted by Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart. The trio’s six-song EP begins with this full-throated power ballad. They tag-team lead vocals, then combine their charismatic singing on chesty harmony choruses. These are some mighty singing men. Thrilling listening.
MATT SCHUSTER / “Last Fall”
Writers: Matt Schuster/Abram Dean/Emily Falvey/John Newsome; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Schuster continues to show immense promise. This aching, melancholy ballad of lost love hits an emotional bullseye thanks to his plaintive, penetrating tenor vocal underscored by sweetly sympathetic strings and steel. Heartbreak on the hoof.
Aaron Watson To Embark On ‘The Armadillo Dance Hall Tour’
/by Liza AndersonAaron Watson. Photo: Chrissy Nix
Aaron Watson will embark on “The Armadillo Dance Hall Tour” in 2024. Kicking off in his home state of Texas on Jan. 19, the journey will take Watson across the nation to areas he hasn’t visited in years.
“I’m excited to take ‘The Armadillo Dance Hall Tour’ all across America in 2024. I live to get up on stage and sing my heart out, and then follow up the show by hanging with everyone in the merch line. I love being able to thank my fans face-to-face with a handshake or a hug for supporting me, my music and most importantly, my family,” shares Watson. “2023 was my biggest touring year yet and I can’t wait to set some new touring records next year.”
Watson was the first independent male country artist to debut an album at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart. Recently, he released Cover Girl, a collection of collaborations with rising female artists covering songs that have shaped him throughout his life.
George Strait Announces Christmas Sweepstakes To Benefit Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation
/by Lorie HollabaughGeorge Strait is celebrating the 12 Days Of Christmas with special holiday giveaways offering fans an opportunity to win front row tickets to one of his stadium shows, along with additional prizes.
To enter, fans can select the sweepstakes they would like to enter and simply make a donation on that page to the Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation. Each dollar donated is equal to 10 entries, and fans can enter as many sweepstakes as they would like. Every dollar donated supports the Jenifer Strait Foundation and its mission to serve the emotional, educational and medical needs of children.
2023 has seen Strait set concert attendance records at multiple venues as he teamed with Chris Stapleton for a series of one-off stadium shows in just six markets. Strait, Stapleton and Little Big Town will extend their run into 2024, hitting Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Salt Lake City, Detroit, Chicago and more.
CMHOF To Launch New Online ‘Words & Music: Journey Of A Song’ Series
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is launching a new online video series, “Words & Music: Journey of a Song.” The five-episode educational series follows four teenage songwriters through an immersive experience crafting and presenting their original songs with support from professional songwriters.
The series will chronicle each student’s creative journey, from collaborating with a songwriter to recording and performing their original song. Songwriting mentors Tenille Townes, Shannon Sanders, Caitlyn Smith and Cameron Bedell participated in the new weekly series, which will premiere on the museum’s YouTube channel and website on Wednesdays starting Dec. 13.
The first four episodes will each focus on one student’s experience workshopping the song, co-writing with a mentor, recording the song and adapting it for the stage. In the final episode, the four students perform for a live audience in the museum’s CMA Theater and share reflections on their experience.
The series was designed by museum educators as an extension of the museum’s flagship education program, Words & Music, which promotes language arts skills by pairing students with professional songwriters to create original songs in the classroom. The experience was filmed and edited by the museum’s award-winning creative team.
“Through ‘Words & Music: Journey of a Song,’ students were given the unique opportunity to expand their skills, collaborate with professionals and learn to stay true to their own creative voices,” says Katie Palmer, Museum Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement. “We hope the series will encourage youth and families—and anyone who has not previously tried songwriting—to experience it.”
Viewers will also be able to download a step-by-step guide to writing song lyrics for free on the museum’s website. The guide includes supplemental video content and encourages users to write their own lyrics and share on their socials. For teens ages 13-18 who participate in “Words & Music: Journey of a Song,” the museum will offer a lyric-writing contest. The winner will receive a trip to Nashville and a full scholarship to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Beginner-to-Intermediate Summer Songwriting Camp next June.
Kane Brown’s ‘Heaven’ Becomes Eighth Country Song To Reach RIAA Diamond Status
/by Lorie HollabaughKane Brown
Kane Brown has earned his newest career milestone with the prestigious RIAA Diamond certification for his multi-week, breakout hit single, “Heaven.”
The singer-songwriter is only the eighth artist in country music to achieve the massive accomplishment with 10 million certified units in the U.S. Brown was surprised with the news at home today with a heartfelt video from fellow Diamond-selling artists Luke Combs, Hillary Scott (Lady A), Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line) and Darius Rucker.
“An incredible talent with 23 RIAA certified titles and accolade upon accolade across genres, today, we are thrilled to recognize Kane Brown’s first Diamond for his single ‘Heaven.’ This enchanting hit has clearly struck a chord with fans—topping 10 million certified units! Congratulations to Kane, his creative partners and RCA Nashville team on this rare milestone,” says RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne.
Brown released “Heaven” on his record-breaking, self-titled debut deluxe album in 2017, which upon its release, made Brown the first artist in Billboard history to top all five Billboard country charts simultaneously. With his Diamond certification, Brown joins a select group of only seven other country artists whose careers boast the rare fete, including Chris Stapleton (“Tennessee Whiskey”), Sam Hunt (“Body Like A Back Road”), Combs (“Beautiful Crazy”), Rucker (“Wagon Wheel”), Lady A (“Need You Now”) and Florida Georgia Line (“Cruise”).
With the honor, Brown becomes the first Black artist in country music to earn the certification with an original song. In addition to “Heaven,” Brown to date has earned 23 RIAA certifications, including recently-earned 8X Platinum “What If’s,” 4x Platinum “Be Like That” and “One Thing Right;” 3x Platinum “Good As You,” “Homesick” and “Lose It;” 2x Platinum “Thank God” and Platinum “Like I Love Country Music.” His debut album Kane Brown is also 3x Platinum.
Academy Of Country Music Announces Record-High Membership, Welcomes Class Of 2024
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Academy of Country Music has announced an increase in membership to more than 5,000 professional members, which marks the Academy’s highest membership count since numbers were tracked, and a major milestone for the trade association.
In the leadup to the announcement, new ACM members including artists, songwriters, producers and industry professionals visited the Academy’s Nashville headquarters in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood to share their excitement about joining the ACM community. New ACM members Colbie Caillat, Hannah Ellis, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Ian Munsick, Matt Stell and others joining the Academy appear in a new 2024 membership spotlight video for the trade association.
Additional videos and content series will be released throughout 2024, to continue to tell the story of the new class and shine a spotlight on the pivotal role the Academy plays in the lives, careers and artistic pursuits of the country music industry.
Newly accepted and renewed members qualify to vote for the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards, which is set to return to Texas this May and will stream exclusively on Prime Video for a third consecutive year. Additionally, Academy members gain access to benefits including early access to tickets for ACM events, discounts on industry partner events, industry data insights, monthly educational and networking events, seasonal magazine ACM Tempo and more.
“Today is an extremely proud day for the Academy of Country Music as we celebrate record-high membership with more than 5,000 members worldwide,” says ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. “The Academy’s membership becomes more diverse and inclusive, as well as international, every year, reflecting the landscape of the genre, and allowing the ACM to better serve as a powerhouse advocate for artists and our industry all over the globe.”
Laci Kaye Booth Forms New Team
/by LB CantrellLaci Kaye Booth. Photo: Natalie Sakstrup
Emerging singer-songwriter Laci Kaye Booth has formed new partnerships with Red Light Management, Geffen Records and WME. The news comes alongside the release of her new single “Cigarettes.”
Booth’s full team consists of Kaitlin Madewell (Manager, Red Light Management), Tom March (President, Geffen Records), Matt Morris (Senior Vice President A&R, Geffen Records), Braeden Rountree (Partner, WME), Lucy Dickins (Global Head of Contemporary Music & Touring, WME), Asha Goodman (Executive Vice President, Sacks & Co.), Cyndi Forman (Senior Vice President A&R, Universal Music Publishing Group) and Michelle Attardi (Senior Director Publishing, Big Machine Music).
“Cigarettes” marks Booth’s next chapter of music that will share her personal and professional setbacks.
Of the new music, she shares, “This song tells the story of where I’ve been, who I was, and how I’ve become who I’ve become. It’s a true-life story, not a highlight reel, with ‘Cigarettes’ having multiple meanings throughout the song. I wrote this song at one of the lowest points of my career and life, with my dear friend and producer, Ben West. It has sorrow, shame, grit and hope written all within it, and I hope the message that’s received from this is to learn from the hard sh*t, learn to let it go and let it make you better.”
Brett Young Plots 2024 International Tour For May
/by Lorie HollabaughBrett Young. Photo: Seth Kupersmith
Brett Young has announced that he’ll head overseas on his third European concert tour in May.
The spring tour will kick off May 8 in Norway and continue through May 24 with stops in Sweden, Germany, Netherlands and seven dates in the United Kingdom, including headlining the second night of Highways 2024 at Royal Albert Hall in London, marking the second outing for the new country and Americana festival that debuted in 2023. General ticket sales for the tour begins tomorrow (Dec. 8). For more information, click here.
“We love getting to play for the fans in Europe and these are some of my favorite places to visit,” says Young. “I’m especially honored to get to take the stage at the legendary Royal Albert Hall for Highways 2024–performing at that historic venue is definitely a bucket list moment.”
Young released his fourth studio album, Across The Sheets, via BMLG Records in August, which has over 108 million global streams to date. His newest single, “Dance With You,” is climbing with over 85.2 million total global streams to date, and he’s racked up more than 8.98 billion total tracks streamed across his career. Young will join Sam Hunt on the “Outskirts Tour 2024,” which kicks off in February.
Brett Young’s 2024 International Tour Dates:
May 8 – Rockefeller Music Hall – Oslo, Norway
May 9 – Debaser – Stockholm, Sweden
May 11 – Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, Germany
May 12 – Docks – Hamburg, Germany
May 13 – TivoliVredenburg – Ronda – Utrecht, Netherlands
May 15 – Albert Hall – Manchester, United Kingdom
May 17 – O2 Academy Birmingham – Birmingham, United Kingdom
May 18 – Royal Albert Hall – London, United Kingdom
May 19 – O2 Academy Bristol – Bristol, United Kingdom
May 21 – SEC Armadillo – Glasgow, United Kingdom
May 22 – O2 Academy Leeds – Leeds, United Kingdom
May 24 – Botanic Gardens – Belfast, United Kingdom
The MLC Launches New Supplemental Matching Network
/by Liza AndersonThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has launched a Supplemental Matching Network initially consisting of five companies that will provide data matching services to complement and enhance The MLC’s existing matching processes and capabilities.
The services offered by the participating vendors will supplement The MLC’s existing internal capabilities as well as the resources already being provided by The MLC’s existing vendors. The MLC may adjust the scope of services in the Supplemental Matching Network as needed to meet future and evolving needs, including engaging additional vendors if appropriate.
The Supplemental Matching Network will initially include Blokur, Jaxsta, Pex, Salt and SX Works, a SoundExchange company. To select these vendors, The MLC completed an assessment that included both qualitative evaluations through a Request for Information (RFI) and subsequent quantitative testing through pilot programs. This comprehensive selection process aligned with the approach The MLC has implemented when evaluating other strategic vendors.
“We conducted an extensive due diligence process to select the initial set of vendors for our Supplemental Matching Network,” says Andrew Mitchell, Head of Analytics & Automation, The MLC. “These vendors bring complementary technologies and capabilities that can be effectively leveraged to serve our members. This network reflects our ongoing commitment to evolve in innovative ways to best achieve The MLC’s mission.”
Old Dominion To Perform At Brooklyn Bowl For ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Dominion. Photo: Mason Allen
Old Dominion will perform at this year’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash official watch party at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville.
“We’ve had such an amazing 2023—we can’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than by doing what we love the most, playing music and making sure there are no bad vibes! What a great way to set the tone for 2024,” says Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey.
The event will kick off at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. Tickets include a champagne toast as well as two additional drink tickets. For more information, click here. Upgrades for VIP Boxes and the Bowlers’ Lounge are available through nashvilleevents.com.
The special will air live on CBS Dec. 31, and will be available for next-day streaming on Paramount+.