Brad Paisley. Photo: Jim Shea
This edition of DISClaimer is a celebration of songwriting.
Country music is built on song craftsmanship, and today, we have a number of examples of the artform at its finest. In various ways, “Prenup,” “Find Another Bar,” “The Medicine Will,” “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “The Table” represent this. So does “To Be A Man,” which translates easily into the country genre.
The Disc of the Day is unquestionably Brad Paisley’s “The Medicine Will.” This is topical country music at its most powerful.
The DISCovery Award goes to Leah Turner, for her Latin-tinged outing. It is a duet with Jerrod Niemann, and several of the day’s other outstanding platters are collaborations—Nicolle Galyon & Rodney Clawson, DAX with Darius Rucker, Shy Carter and Frank Ray and Buddy Jewell with his celebrity pals. Carry on.
LOGAN MIZE / “Out of State Plates”
Writers: Logan Mize/Daniel Agee/Kyle Shurrock; Producer: Daniel Agee; Label: Big Yellow Dog Music
– It’s a road song, but maybe not at the drag racing speed you might expect. Instead, it’s a breezy drive on a country lane. I love the spare production with its finger snaps and twang guitar. Very refreshing.
ERNEST / “Kiss Of Death”
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Andy Albert/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– This lively, tasteful country rocker zips right along as the singer describes a femme fatale who has captured his heart. The beats never overwhelm his vocal, and the emphasis is on acoustics, which is fine with me. Ernest is racking up one hit after another, and is heading for a two-night stand at the Ryman on Nov. 28-29.
LAUREN WATKINS / “The Table”
Writers: Lauren Watkins/Nicolle Galyon/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters
– This gifted singer-songwriter unspools a melancholy tale of a disintegrating relationship with sure-footed lyric sense, a smoky vocal and deft picking. Also check out her new country rocker “Fine County Line.” Both are drawn from her sophomore EP, which is a splendid showcase of a major new artist. Get on board.
BRAD PAISLEY / “The Medicine Will”
Writers: Brad Paisley/Lee Thomas Miller; Producers: Brad Paisley/Luke Wooten; Label: EMI Nashville
– Absolutely extraordinary. Paisley takes on the opioid epidemic, which is especially lethal in his West Virginia homeland. His word portrait encompasses coal mining and small-town devastation while offering sympathy and understanding to victims. The dobro-laced production drives a brisk track with an enormously sincere vocal performance. Essential listening.
AVERY ANNA & DYLAN MARLOWE / “I Will (When You Do)”
Writers: Avery Anna/Dylan Marlowe/David Fanning/Abram Dean/Joe Fox; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– They harmonize perfectly, like each other’s shadow. Neither one wants to be the first one to call it quits in this torrid ballad. I could have done without the crashing rock guitars.
DAX & DARIUS RUCKER / “To Be A Man”
Writer: Daniel Nwosu Jr.; Producer: Lex Nour; Label: Records/Columbia
– Canadian/Nigerian rapper Dax teams with Rucker for a country version of his hit meditation on masculinity. Both men pour anguished emotion into the dense, brilliant lyric. This works beautifully.
SHY CARTER & FRANK RAY / “Jesus At The Taco Truck”
Writers: Shy Carter/Frank Ray/Ben Burgess/Nathan Chapman; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This already has two million TikTok views. The acoustic ballad teams two fine country singers on a lyric about acceptance, tolerance and love for our fellow men. They express understanding and sympathy for hard-working Mexican immigrants who send money home to their struggling families. Ray is a bi-lingual former police officer who gives representation to his culture here. Carter is a Black songwriting sensation who also brings welcome diversity to the country genre. A tip of the hat and a round of applause to both.
SYLVIA TYSON / “Sweet Agony”
Writer: Sylvia Tyson/Cindy Church; Producer: Danny Greenspoon; Label: Stony Plain Records
– I have been in love with this woman for decades. Now a member of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, she came to prominence in the folk-country duo Ian & Sylvia in the 1960s and 1970s. She wrote the standard “You Were on My Mind,” became a radio broadcasting icon in Canada and has recorded more than a dozen acclaimed solo albums. She is billing At the End of The Day as her final recording. This is its lead track and first single, a sweet waltz with deep-twang guitar. Her voice has mellowed into a lustrous, wise alto, which she employs to great effect on a lyric welcoming love back into life, no matter the consequences.
CHRIS LANE / “Find Another Bar”
Writers: Chris Lane/Justin Ebach/Josh Thompson; Producer: Derek Wells; Label: Red Street Records/Voyager Records
– He spots her in his nightspot wearing a new dress, sporting a new hairdo, singing new song, sipping a new drink and accompanied by a new love. Lane’s a broken-hearted country boy who wishes she’d hang out someplace else. As before, he demonstrates that he’s a first-class country singer.
UNCLE KRACKER / “Cruising Altitude”
Writers: Uncle Kracker/Brett Warren/Brad Warren/JT Harding; Producer: Josh Bright; Label: Sturgeon General Records
– Good-natured and easy-going, the wafting tune is a romantic come-on that goes down (or is “up?”) smoothly. A feel-good fall anthem.
LEAH TURNER & JERROD NIEMANN / “South Of The Border”
Writers: Leah Turner/Brett Boyett; Producer: Brett Boyett; Label: LT
– Turner is Mexican-American Latina, and this song is loaded with caliente spice. Niemann is her perfect vocal foil as they zip through this rhythmic little wonder. Not to be confused with the lilting, 1939 Gene Autry hit, this ditty is hot and sexy.
BUDDY JEWELL, CLINT BLACK, MARTY RAYBON & THE BELLAMY BROTHERS / “Sweet Southern Comfort”
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Brad Crisler; Producers: Mitchell Brown/Brandyn Steen; Label: BJ
– Jewell updates his 2004 smash with some hearty cameo performances. In addition to singing, Black’s harmonica work is a standout. The anthemic song seems perfect for the SEC football season.
NICOLLE GALYON & RODNEY CLAWSON / “Prenup”
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Nicolle Galyon; Producers: Jimmy Robbins/King Henry; Label: Songs & Daughters
– Released two weeks ago on the date of her 16th wedding anniversary, Galyon’s new Second Wife EP chronicles her marriage to fellow hit tunesmith Clawson. The collection’s sole duet is this toe-taping hoot about how splitting up their assets would be ridiculous. The chugging, merry beat is matched by their tongue-in-cheek performance of the delightful ditty. Absolutely worth your spins.
Jessie James Decker Celebrates The Season With Festive New EP
/by Lorie HollabaughJessie James Decker is getting into the holiday spirit in a big way with her new holiday EP, Decker The Halls, out today (Nov. 3).
The six-track collection, produced by frequent collaborator Dan Agee, features Decker’s spin on both Christmas classics and a handful of originals, and continues a tradition she began with fan favorites This Christmas EP [2015] and On This Holiday [2018].
Decker co-wrote “Tangled In Tinsel” on the new project with Shane Stevens. It also includes “Top Of My List,” a new cut penned by Daniel Tashian, as well as the classic “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” and a duet with children Vivianne Decker, Eric Decker II and Forest Decker for the first time on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” Decker’s mother Karen Parker, sister Sydney Bass and sister-in-law Ali James join her on a spirited take of “Away In A Manger.”
Decker will also ring in the holidays with a performance of “Tangled In Tinsel” live for the first time on the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Parade will air nationwide in the U.S. on NBC and stream on Peacock on Nov. 23. She recently celebrated the release of her cookbook Just Eat and new cookware line with a promotional tour including appearances on Good Morning America and Live with Kelly and Mark, and a five-city book tour including stops in New York, Dallas and Nashville.
Decker The Halls Track List:
Top of My List
Sleigh Ride
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (featuring Vivianne Decker, Eric Decker II, Forrest Decker)
Tangled In Tinsel
Away In A Manger (featuring Karen Parker, Sydney Bass, Ali James)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
CMA Hosts Nominee Dinner Before 57th Annual Awards Next Week
/by Liza AndersonDarius Rucker presents Mike Dungan with the 2023 CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence at the annual CMA Awards Nominee Dinner. Photo: John Russell/CMA
The Country Music Association held a celebratory dinner for this year’s CMA Awards nominees at Nashville’s Saint Elle event space on Wednesday night (Nov. 1), just a week ahead of the 57th annual ceremony.
Pictured (L-R): Sherri Huff, Dann Huff, Charles Kelley and Cassie Kelley at the annual CMA Awards Nominee Dinner. Photo: John Russell/CMA
The venue was decorated with warm tones and touches of gold as well as florals from the Nashville-based FLWR Shop. The menu was curated by renowned chef and James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Sean Brock, whose mission is to contribute to the local community, culture and cuisine in a lasting and impactful way.
“It’s a really wonderful privilege to be in the same city as all of you and to be in the same room as all of you,” said Brock. “It’s very inspiring to the food community as well.”
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern welcomed everyone and invited CMA Executive Producer Robert Deaton to lead a special toast for the group. To start the celebration, CMA Award-winning artist Darius Rucker surprised recently retired Universal Music Group (UMG) Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan with the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence. This award is given to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of demonstrated ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved country music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
“This is way beyond anything I could ever dream of,” shared Dungan following a heartfelt speech from Rucker. “I’ve been getting a lot of expressions of love lately, but this is really something.”
The 57th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will air live from Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
Pictured (L-R): Chip Matthews, Charlie Worsham and Derek Wells at the annual CMA Awards Nominee Dinner. Photo: John Russell/CMA
Jenee Fleenor at the annual CMA Awards Nominee Dinner. Photo: John Russell/CMA
ACM Lifting Lives Announces 2023-2024 Board Of Directors
/by LB CantrellACM Lifting Lives has announced the newly-elected Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 term. Officer roles for the 2023-2024 term are Chair Daniel Miller, Vice-Chair Shawn McSpadden, Vice-President Fletcher Foster, Treasurer Paul Barnabee and Secretary Taylor Wolf.
The ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors is comprised of ACM Board Members, referred to as representative directors, as well as leaders in non-profit and corporate affairs who aren’t ACM Board Members and are referred to as public directors.
This year, there were four representative director positions elected, three public director positions elected, and one public director-at-large position appointed by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors:
2023-2024 ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors:
*Newly Elected/Appointed
Officers:
Chair – Daniel Miller, Fusion Music
Vice-Chair – Shawn McSpadden, Range Media Partners
Vice-President – Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
Treasurer – Paul Barnabee, FBMM
Secretary – Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives
Representative Directors:
Jackie Campbell, 615 Leverage + Strategy
Duane Clark, FBMM*
Beville Dunkerley
Rod Essig, CAA
Chandra LaPlume, Sandbox Productions*
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Shawn McSpadden, Range Media Partners
Daniel Miller, Fusion Music
Darin Murphy, CAA*
Annie Ortmeier, Triple Tigers Records*
Public Directors:
Scott Adkins, Adkins Publicity
Mark Bloom, UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Tiffany Brush, Topgolf
Ross Copperman
Chris Farren, Combustion Music
Kathleen Flaherty, K21 Communications
Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment
Julie Gordon*
Mickey Guyton
John Hickman, Dallas Cowboys
Greg Hill, Hill Entertainment Group
Michelle Kammerer, Amazon Music
Ricky Kelley, Harley-Davidson of Columbia
Ellen Lehman
Tom Lord, Red Light Management*
Diane Pearson, City National Bank*
Adi Sharma, The Neal Agency*
Elaina Smith, Nights with Elaina
Storme Warren, TuneIn Radio’s The Big 615
Judee Ann Williams, CAA
Sally Williams, Live Nation
Conner Smith’s Full-Length Debut Album ‘Smoky Mountains’ Set For January
/by Lorie HollabaughConner Smith. Photo: Luke Hutcherson
Conner Smith is gearing up for the release of his full-length debut album Smoky Mountains on Jan. 26 via The Valory Music Co. The anthemic title track from the upcoming project is out now.
The collection includes the Gold-certified “Take It Slow,” the viral hit “I Hate Alabama” and current top-20-and-climbing single “Creek Will Rise,” as well as the title track, invoking the front-porch jam sessions of days gone by—and the pull at Smith’s core of old versus new, the call of adventure and the longing for home.
The personal 12-song project mixes prime-of-life passion with old-soul perspective, classic style and contemporary spirit, and is a reflection of the artist himself. All but one of the tracks was co-written by Smith, working alongside hitmakers like Chase McGill, Thomas Rhett, Ryan Hurd, Devin Dawson, Jessi Alexander and more.
“It very much took 23 years to make these 12 songs,” Smith says. “I felt like I found my own lane I was able to drive down, and I’m really proud of what it has become. There’s not a wasted second on the record—every song matters. And I think it really shows all the different things that make me ‘me’—as a songwriter, a vocalist and as a performer.”
Currently on the road, Smith kicked off his second headline trek of 2023 on the “Creek Will Rise Tour” last night (Nov. 2) in Athens, Georgia, which rolls on tonight (Nov. 3) in Gainesville, Florida.
Smoky Mountains Track Listing:
1. “Smoky Mountains” | Conner Smith, Zach Crowell
2. “Creek Will Rise” | Conner Smith, Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Parker Welling
3. “Roulette On The Heart (feat. Hailey Whitters)” | Conner Smith, Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill, Mark Trussell
4. “Heatin’ Up” | Conner Smith, Chase McGill, Daniel Ross
5. “Baby, I” | Conner Smith, Devin Dawson, Mark Trussell, Parker Welling
6. “Meanwhile In Carolina” | Conner Smith, Blake Pendergrass
7. “Boots In The Bleachers” | Conner Smith, Ben Hayslip, Jordan Walker
8. “Take It Slow” | Conner Smith, Ryan Hurd, Mark Trussell
9. “Trouble” | Conner Smith, Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers, Chase McGill, Mark Trussell
10. “I Hate Alabama” | Nick Columbia, Drew Green, Hunter Phelps, Lee Starr
11. “Regret In The Morning” | Conner Smith, Hunter Phelps, Daniel Ross
12. “God Moments” | Conner Smith, Zach Crowell, Devin Dawson, Blake Pendergrass
Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson Top The MusicRow Radio Chart With ‘Save Me’
/by LB CantrellJelly Roll & Lainey Wilson
Jumping from No. 4 to the top spot this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart is “Save Me” by Jelly Roll featuring Lainey Wilson.
The tune was written by Jelly Roll and David Ray Stevens, and appears on Jelly’s Whitsitt Chapel album, which earned the biggest country album debut in Billboard Consumption chart history when it was released this summer.
Jelly Roll and Wilson are the most nominated artists at next week’s CMA Awards, with Jelly up for five and Wilson up for nine, including Musical Event of the Year for “Save Me.”
“Save Me” currently sits at No. 8 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Garth Brooks To Play Amazon Music Live Concert On Black Friday
/by Lorie HollabaughGarth Brooks is headlining the first-ever Black Friday Amazon Music Live special on Nov. 24 that will be live-streamed from the grand opening of his brand new Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk.
The AML special will give fans around the globe a front-row seat for one of his famed “Dive Bar” concerts, and the sold-out concert has already earned over three-million ticket requests from Brooks’ fans. The Black Friday special will air after Black Friday Football—the first-ever NFL game played on Black Friday in history, streaming on Prime Video.
Brooks will perform new music, chart-topping hits, fan favorites, deep cuts from his vast discography, and tracks from his upcoming studio album, Time Traveler, on the special, which will air on Prime Video and Twitch at 7 p.m. ET. Prime Video will provide free access to the show, even to those without a Prime membership or an Amazon account.
“We’ve already seen over three million entries to win a chance to attend, and thanks to our friends at Amazon, this episode will ensure that everybody who wants to see this show can,” says Brooks. “Not only will the people see the Friends bar for the first time, but they will also hear new music live for the first time…and if you know us, we will be playing the old stuff, as well.”
The AML pre-show will be hosted by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, the hosts of Country Heat Weekly, featuring interviews, special guests and other surprises on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 6 p.m. ET.
Fans excited for the show can also stream Brooks’ entire catalog, available only on Amazon Music. Amazon Music customers can revisit Brooks’ full 17-album collection, including classics like No Fences, The Chase, and Ropin’ The Wind, as well as rarities like The Lost Sessions and classic live albums like Double Live.
Concord Acquires Round Hill Music Royalty Fund
/by LB CantrellConcord has acquired Round Hill’s UK-listed music fund, Round Hill Music Royalty Fund (RHM).
The deal includes over 150,000 songs and 51 catalogs, including works by The Beatles, Alice In Chains, The Offspring as well as hits recorded by Elvis Presley, Meatloaf, James Brown and Billie Holiday. It also includes a stake in the Carlin Catalog, which houses hits made famous by artists including Presley, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and George Harrison.
The news follows Concord’s expansion into Australasia as well as its acquisition of Mojo Music & Media. On Oct. 18, with the RHM Board endorsing the acquisition, the deal was overwhelmingly approved with 99 percent of votes cast in favor.
“The entire team at Concord is thrilled to be able to represent these iconic catalogs. It is now our obligation to expose these songs and recordings to an even larger audience than their existing extraordinary fan bases. Furthering the cultural impact that these works have is certainly a responsibility we take seriously,” shares Bob Valentine, CEO of Concord.
He adds, “Since our inception, Concord has demonstrated a clear track record of preserving the legacy of our artists while leveraging new and innovative opportunities to create new fans. I can’t wait to see what our global creative teams of sync, licensing, marketing, copyright and royalty experts come up with next.”
Mark Your Calendar—November 2023
/by LB CantrellSingle/Track Release Dates:
November 2
Cliff Dorsey/New Neon/Black Sheep Records
November 3
Jenna DeVries/RIP/Heart Songs Music Group
Becca Bowen/County Line
November 6
Garth Brooks & Ronnie Dunn/Rodeo Man/Big Machine Records
Jay Allen/No Present Like the Time/ONErpm/16camino
Ryan Jewel/Same Bar, Different Town/Ryan Jewel Music
Bobby Chitwood/Twisted (feat. Cowboy Troy)/TXN Records
Annie Bosko/Neon Baby/Stone Country Records
Rachel Stacy/Empty Glass
November 10
Shaylen/Cowboys Never Cry
Meghan Pulles/Ear Baby
November 13
Lainey Wilson/Wildflowers and Wild Horses/Broken Bow Records
Caroline Jones/Million Little Bandaids (feat. Zac Brown Band)
Bucky Covington/Wheels/BareFootin Inc.
November 17
Leah Turner/Noche Buena
November 20
Alex Miller/Puttin’ Up Hay/Billy Jam Records
Rob Fitzgerald/Drunk On You/Riverbend Recordings
November 27
Joe Hermes/SkyFall/OTM Productions
Album/EP Release Dates:
November 2
Natalie Madigan/No Feeling Is Final/Endurance Music Group
November 3
Jason Aldean/Highway Desperado/BBR Music Group
Toby Keith/100% Songwriter/Mercury Nashville/UMe
Cody Johnson/Leather/COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville
Brett Kissel/West Album/Big Star Recordings Inc/ONErpm
Jessie James Decker/Decker The Halls
Mike Gossin/Coming Home
November 7
Garth Brooks/Time Traveler/Pearl Records
November 10
Chris Stapleton/Higher/Mercury Nashville
Todd Snider/Crank It, We’re Doomed/Aimless Records
Brei Carter/Twinkling Tales of Christmas/Brown Lee Entertainment/The Orchard
Fish Fisher/Nashvillain/Fish Fisher Productions
November 17
Dolly Parton/Rockstar/Butterfly Records/Big Machine Label Group
Rosanne Cash/The Wheel 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition/RumbleStrip Records/Thirty Tigers
Lauren Watkins/Introducing: The Heartbreak/Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters
Wade Hayes/Old Country Still Rocks
Industry Events:
November 7
71st Annual BMI Country Awards
November 8
57th Annual CMA Awards
November 14
12th Annual Touring Career Workshop
November 19
Billboard Music Awards
Industry Ink: Pip Wynans, Jenny Tolman, RJ Smith
/by Lorie HollabaughPip Wynans Joins PLA Media As Sr. Social Media/Marketing Consultant
Pip Wynans
Pip Wynans has been named Senior Social Media and Marketing Consultant at PLA Media. Wynans’ background includes expertise in User Generated Content (UGC) creation, digital marketing, branding and influencer marketing. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Baylor in International Relations, with an emphasis in Korean Language and Culture, as well as a Masters in Global Entertainment and Music Business from Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain. She is also trilingual, proficient in English, Spanish and Korean.
“I am learning so much from Pip daily seeing our ever-changing digital, marketing world through her eyes! With verve, she brings a fresh, curious approach to our campaigns and is already making a positive difference. Our clients absolutely love her,” says PLA Media founder and CEO, Pamela L. Lewis.
Jenny Tolman Partners With Operation Stand Down TN
Pictured (L-R): Jenny Tolman, Penny Anderson (Chief Development and External Affairs Officer for OSDTN), Karen Fitzhugh (Manager, Community & Special Events for OSDTN)
Jenny Tolman is partnering with Operation Stand Down Tennessee to raise awareness and funds for their Operation Connect program, which supports efforts in outreach and suicide prevention for veteran men and women in 20 counties across the Tennessee region. In conjunction with the partnership, she will be releasing her new single dedicated to those who served for Veterans Day, “Timbuktu,” on Friday, Nov. 10.
Founded in 1993, Operation Stand Down Tennessee’s mission is the engage, equip and empower military veterans and their families through crisis, career and connection services. With offices in Nashville, Clarksville and Columbia, they serve veterans who may have significant needs like homelessness or financial crisis, to those recently transitioning from military service who need career assistance to veterans who need a connection to their community.
Country Music Hall Of Fame’s RJ Smith Wins Award For Chuck Berry Book
RJ Smith
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum writer-editor RJ Smith was recently named a 2023 award winner for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research by the Association for Recorded Sound Collections. Smith’s 2022 book Chuck Berry: An American Life (Hachette Books), was honored as a Best History winner for research in recorded rock or popular music.
Each year, the ARSC Awards are given to authors of books, articles or recording liner notes to recognize those publishing the very best work today in recorded sound research. In addition to his biography on Berry, Smith has written books about James Brown, photographer Robert Frank and Black Los Angeles in the 1940s. Prior to joining the staff of the museum, he was an editor at Los Angeles magazine and the Village Voice, and has written for GQ, Rolling Stone, the New York Times and LA Weekly.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brad Paisley Gives ‘Enormously Sincere Vocal Performance’
/by Robert K OermannBrad Paisley. Photo: Jim Shea
This edition of DISClaimer is a celebration of songwriting.
Country music is built on song craftsmanship, and today, we have a number of examples of the artform at its finest. In various ways, “Prenup,” “Find Another Bar,” “The Medicine Will,” “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “The Table” represent this. So does “To Be A Man,” which translates easily into the country genre.
The Disc of the Day is unquestionably Brad Paisley’s “The Medicine Will.” This is topical country music at its most powerful.
The DISCovery Award goes to Leah Turner, for her Latin-tinged outing. It is a duet with Jerrod Niemann, and several of the day’s other outstanding platters are collaborations—Nicolle Galyon & Rodney Clawson, DAX with Darius Rucker, Shy Carter and Frank Ray and Buddy Jewell with his celebrity pals. Carry on.
LOGAN MIZE / “Out of State Plates”
Writers: Logan Mize/Daniel Agee/Kyle Shurrock; Producer: Daniel Agee; Label: Big Yellow Dog Music
– It’s a road song, but maybe not at the drag racing speed you might expect. Instead, it’s a breezy drive on a country lane. I love the spare production with its finger snaps and twang guitar. Very refreshing.
ERNEST / “Kiss Of Death”
Writers: Ernest Keith Smith/Andy Albert/Ryan Vojtesak; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– This lively, tasteful country rocker zips right along as the singer describes a femme fatale who has captured his heart. The beats never overwhelm his vocal, and the emphasis is on acoustics, which is fine with me. Ernest is racking up one hit after another, and is heading for a two-night stand at the Ryman on Nov. 28-29.
LAUREN WATKINS / “The Table”
Writers: Lauren Watkins/Nicolle Galyon/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/Songs & Daughters
– This gifted singer-songwriter unspools a melancholy tale of a disintegrating relationship with sure-footed lyric sense, a smoky vocal and deft picking. Also check out her new country rocker “Fine County Line.” Both are drawn from her sophomore EP, which is a splendid showcase of a major new artist. Get on board.
BRAD PAISLEY / “The Medicine Will”
Writers: Brad Paisley/Lee Thomas Miller; Producers: Brad Paisley/Luke Wooten; Label: EMI Nashville
– Absolutely extraordinary. Paisley takes on the opioid epidemic, which is especially lethal in his West Virginia homeland. His word portrait encompasses coal mining and small-town devastation while offering sympathy and understanding to victims. The dobro-laced production drives a brisk track with an enormously sincere vocal performance. Essential listening.
AVERY ANNA & DYLAN MARLOWE / “I Will (When You Do)”
Writers: Avery Anna/Dylan Marlowe/David Fanning/Abram Dean/Joe Fox; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– They harmonize perfectly, like each other’s shadow. Neither one wants to be the first one to call it quits in this torrid ballad. I could have done without the crashing rock guitars.
DAX & DARIUS RUCKER / “To Be A Man”
Writer: Daniel Nwosu Jr.; Producer: Lex Nour; Label: Records/Columbia
– Canadian/Nigerian rapper Dax teams with Rucker for a country version of his hit meditation on masculinity. Both men pour anguished emotion into the dense, brilliant lyric. This works beautifully.
SHY CARTER & FRANK RAY / “Jesus At The Taco Truck”
Writers: Shy Carter/Frank Ray/Ben Burgess/Nathan Chapman; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This already has two million TikTok views. The acoustic ballad teams two fine country singers on a lyric about acceptance, tolerance and love for our fellow men. They express understanding and sympathy for hard-working Mexican immigrants who send money home to their struggling families. Ray is a bi-lingual former police officer who gives representation to his culture here. Carter is a Black songwriting sensation who also brings welcome diversity to the country genre. A tip of the hat and a round of applause to both.
SYLVIA TYSON / “Sweet Agony”
Writer: Sylvia Tyson/Cindy Church; Producer: Danny Greenspoon; Label: Stony Plain Records
– I have been in love with this woman for decades. Now a member of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, she came to prominence in the folk-country duo Ian & Sylvia in the 1960s and 1970s. She wrote the standard “You Were on My Mind,” became a radio broadcasting icon in Canada and has recorded more than a dozen acclaimed solo albums. She is billing At the End of The Day as her final recording. This is its lead track and first single, a sweet waltz with deep-twang guitar. Her voice has mellowed into a lustrous, wise alto, which she employs to great effect on a lyric welcoming love back into life, no matter the consequences.
CHRIS LANE / “Find Another Bar”
Writers: Chris Lane/Justin Ebach/Josh Thompson; Producer: Derek Wells; Label: Red Street Records/Voyager Records
– He spots her in his nightspot wearing a new dress, sporting a new hairdo, singing new song, sipping a new drink and accompanied by a new love. Lane’s a broken-hearted country boy who wishes she’d hang out someplace else. As before, he demonstrates that he’s a first-class country singer.
UNCLE KRACKER / “Cruising Altitude”
Writers: Uncle Kracker/Brett Warren/Brad Warren/JT Harding; Producer: Josh Bright; Label: Sturgeon General Records
– Good-natured and easy-going, the wafting tune is a romantic come-on that goes down (or is “up?”) smoothly. A feel-good fall anthem.
LEAH TURNER & JERROD NIEMANN / “South Of The Border”
Writers: Leah Turner/Brett Boyett; Producer: Brett Boyett; Label: LT
– Turner is Mexican-American Latina, and this song is loaded with caliente spice. Niemann is her perfect vocal foil as they zip through this rhythmic little wonder. Not to be confused with the lilting, 1939 Gene Autry hit, this ditty is hot and sexy.
BUDDY JEWELL, CLINT BLACK, MARTY RAYBON & THE BELLAMY BROTHERS / “Sweet Southern Comfort”
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Brad Crisler; Producers: Mitchell Brown/Brandyn Steen; Label: BJ
– Jewell updates his 2004 smash with some hearty cameo performances. In addition to singing, Black’s harmonica work is a standout. The anthemic song seems perfect for the SEC football season.
NICOLLE GALYON & RODNEY CLAWSON / “Prenup”
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Nicolle Galyon; Producers: Jimmy Robbins/King Henry; Label: Songs & Daughters
– Released two weeks ago on the date of her 16th wedding anniversary, Galyon’s new Second Wife EP chronicles her marriage to fellow hit tunesmith Clawson. The collection’s sole duet is this toe-taping hoot about how splitting up their assets would be ridiculous. The chugging, merry beat is matched by their tongue-in-cheek performance of the delightful ditty. Absolutely worth your spins.