New show debuts
Shawn Parr’s New Key Networks Show To Debut With 16 Affiliates
KEY NETWORKS has announced the initial affiliates for its new syndicated Country show, “SHAWN PARR’s Across The Country,” set to launch on MONDAY, JUNE 1st (NET NEWS 4/20). The four-hour weekday show will debut in 16 markets, ...
Country Industry Veteran Stan Byrd Dies at 77
ALL ACCESS sends condolences to the family and friends of Country record industry and artist management veteran STAN BYRD, who passed away on SATURDAY, MAY 23rd at the age of 77. He is ...
Little Big Town will have you seeing the glass half full with their new Country radio single, "Wine, Beer, Whiskey." The song showcases a fun new sound for the quartet, complete with a trumpet fanfare to salute their favorite friends from the bar. "My friend named Jack / He’s got my back / He always seems to know right where I’m at / My friend Jose / He likes to play / He’s always up for anything I say," they sing. Ah, now you see where they're going with this. The single, written by Tofer Brown, Sean McConnell and Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook, went down smooth, taking less than an hour to write, and includes a little taste of everything. "My friend named Gin / She got some friends / I’m talking Brandy, Sherry, and their brother Jim / My friend the Captain / We call him Morgan / He likes to anchor down and hang over ‘til mornin.’" The song brought balance to the group's ninth studio album, "Nightfall," but is now ready to stand on its own. "Every record should have levity on it," said Fairchild on a video the group shared on their YouTube channel. "The fans love it, we love it and we have to have that life." Bandmate Sweet chimed in, "It's a party jam!" So what do you say? Fill up your cup with "Wine, Beer, Whiskey," and raise it up to another #1. 
The Big Loud Records team didn’t let any grass grow under them following Morgan Wallen’s third consecutive #1 hit, “Chasin’ You.” Just a little over a week after it hit the chart summit comes a new future hit from the fast-rising star. Brimming with authenticity, and instantly recognizable by the Tennessee native’s Country-as-dirt delivery, “More Than My Hometown” is an atypical love story … one where home and hearth win out over head and heart in the end. Written by Wallen with Michael Hardy, Ernest Keith Smith and Ryan Vojtesak, “Hometown” packs in a surprisingly large number of words for a Country song, but each one carries an impact, demonstrating first how much he loves the girl (“More than a beer when you ain’t 21 yet”), and later why he has to let her leave to chase her big city dreams (“You got a wild in your eyes that I just wasn’t born with”). With palpable regret, he finally concludes, “This might be the last time I get to lay you down / ‘Cause I can't love you more than my hometown.” This new track is an enticing taste of the ACM New Male Artist of the Year nominee's highly anticipated sophomore album, due later the year. Spin it!
Jordan Davis never disappoints, and his next Country radio single, "Almost Maybes," is no exception. Don't let the title fool you, there is nothing "maybe" about this song. It's a sure hit. Written by Davis, alongside Jesse Frasure and Hillary Lindsey, the song will have listeners looking in life's rear view mirror with a new appreciation for the experiences and relationships that got them where they are. The chorus sings, "Here’s to the almost, so close / It’s over out of the blues / Here’s to the hey I think we need to talk / And the it ain’t me it’s you / Here’s to the tears and beers and wasted years / On the weeds that looked like daisies / I wouldn’t be sitting here next to you / If it weren’t for the almost maybes." The Louisiana native brings his signature good vibes and a chin up attitude to the funky new tune that is sure to brighten even the dullest of spirits. "A lot of 'Almost Maybes' got me to where I am right now, but I'm really happy with how it all turned out," Davis said in a post on his Instagram account. We're sure Davis would be even happier with a click on that add button out of the box! 
The theme of kids growing up fast is a popular one in Country music, but Jackson Michelson has taken an especially poignant look at it in his new single, which he co-wrote with Justin Ebach and Matt Alderman. The mid-tempo tune paints vivid pictures of the everyday little moments that can sometimes be taken for granted, like making homemade pizza after church, while also encouraging moms and dads to take it all in and not waste a single day of young parenthood. As Michelson sings in the chorus, “One day he's gonna want my keys / One day she'll be 17 / Running down the stairs in a prom dress / And we'll be saying time went by fast / Wishing we could get some back / ‘Cause one day they walk and I swear the next they run / Baby someday we’ll be wishing for one day / One day when they were young.” A music video featuring adorable home movies of families — including Michelson’s own wife, Shayla, and their three children — brings the song’s sweet message home. “‘One Day’ is the most personal song I’ve ever written and recorded,” Michelson told 
At a time when long-haul truckers are among the workers being hailed as heroes for helping keep America’s food and supply chains running comes this tribute from the lead singer of rock band Jackyl and his side project, Jesse James Dupree & Dixie Inc. The band draws inspiration from ‘70s Country music and its outlaws, and that’s evident on this track, featuring banjo-heavy instrumentation and Dupree’s heavy metal-tested vocals. Noting that food “didn’t fall from the sky / It didn’t magically appear,” the lyrics go on to credit the drivers, saying, “It was brought here on his back / Shifting 10 hard gears.” An accompanying music video features the faces (and rigs) of many real-life truckers as the song paints a picture of their lives with lyrics like, “It’s a lonely stretch of asphalt heat / There’s an 18-wheeler, 75 foot long / With a hero in the seat.” This is the first single from Jesse James Dupree & Dixie Inc.’s upcoming Country album, set for release this summer from Dupree’s label, Mighty Loud Entertainment. In addition to Dupree, the band features his son, Nigel Dupree, on drums, Jackyl’s Roman Glick on standup bass, Don Wayne Reno on banjo and Joey Huffman on keyboards.
Walker Hayes has checked into Country radio with his newest single and one thing is for sure, the creativity is at an all time high. Comparing a fiery one-nighter to wrecking a hotel room, the quirky tune will have listeners dialed in to every word as Hayes sings, "Trash my heart like a hotel room / Steal my kisses like it's free shampoo / Don't be careful with me, baby, just get reckless / Yeah, you can even leave before the continental breakfast." We told you the creativity was high! Hayes says the song is a bit of a departure for him. "If you know my material, a lot of it is deep," he explains in a video posted to his Instagram account. "I get really intricate with words and stuff. 'Trash My Heart' is just fun. It just has a thing about it, even acoustic." Written by Hayes, alongside Josh Osborne, Matt Jenkins, Josh Jenkins and Jimmy Robbins, the song has already resonated strongly with fans, who got together to make a "fan reaction video" of themselves ravaging rooms. Those fans continue to sing praises to Hayes via social media about their love for the single. Hayes has even seen support from Holiday Inn hotels, which tweeted, "Hey Walker, we won't trash your heart. Please don't trash our hotel rooms." It's clear this tune has no checkout time, and we're excited to watch it climb the charts. 
Tim McGraw hits the mark when he calls his new single “a warm blanket.” It’s a sweet and sentimental, mid tempo ode to connecting with the people who make you feel grounded and safe, especially in troubling times. Written by Lance Miller, Marv Green and Jimmy Yeary, the nostalgic song is McGraw’s first new music since his return to Big Machine Records earlier this year. After getting some bad news about a friend, he sings in the chorus, “I stopped off at a Texaco / Bought a Slim Jim and Coke.” He goes on to describe writing a song, then singing it “for the blue sky and a couple live oak trees,” then continues, “I thought of home / Grabbed by phone from my pocket / And I called Mama.” The message really hits home in the bridge, where he sings, “From now on / I ain’t gonna wait so long.” Mothers everywhere will second that emotion. McGraw says the single makes you “reflect back on all the people who are important in your life and the things that really matter, especially in the times we live in now.” He adds, “It’s tough to find a song that has sort of an existential view on how everyone feels, but also has a very personal feeling to it and a very personal message. ‘Mama’ really does all those things.” A new lyric video includes a few shots of McGraw’s real mom, and the singer himself as a baby. A full music video, due out later this month, will feature videos and photos submitted by fans with their moms. Happy Mother’s Day!
Hooks for days and an immediately catchy chorus make the new single from Brothers Osborne an instant ear worm. You’re sure to have lines “get, get, get to livin’,” “oh my, Levis” and “I got the moon, if you got the shine” stuck on repeat in your head after just one listen. This uptempo stomper, written by John Osborne, TJ Osborne and Andrew DeRoberts, leans into a swampy, bass driven track as the lyrics describe eternal contradictions. “What good is a saint, if you ain’t got the sinnin’ / What good is a life, if you don’t get to livin’ / What good is the one, if you ain’t got the other,” they ask. The first track off their upcoming thrid studio album, "All Night" is a perfect summer song: two minutes and 48 seconds of pure fun.
Parmalee is spreading the love with their new radio single featuring trailer trap creator Blanco Brown. It’s a powerful collaboration with an even stronger message, reminding listeners they’re beautiful “Just The Way” they are. Written by Kevin Bard, Matt Thomas and Nolan Sipe, the song is the perfect suggestion in these complex times to take note of the little things that make us love that special someone. “The way your hair's in a mess / In the morning when you open your eyes / The way an hour goes by when you say / That you'll be ready in five / The little dimple on the side of your smile / When you're laughing at a movie / That you've seen about a thousand times / You know girl, that I can't lie.” Such a sweet reminder when the world needs it most. The chorus sings, "I love you just the way God made you/ Girl, he don't make mistakes / What you call your imperfections / I call beautiful, babe / So let my eyes be your mirror / And you're bound to see it too / 'Cause I was made for lovin' / Just the way God made you.” As for why the group chose to collaborate with Brown, they say they just knew. "[We've all] been friends with Blanco for a couple of years, even before 'The Git Up,"' said Parmalee lead singer Matt Thomas in a video posted to the group's Instagram page. "I knew he's a great singer and all about positivity and purpose, so the song was just a perfect fit ... This song, I think, just lets everybody know, you're loved the way you are. It's all good, nobody's perfect." Now THAT's a message we can get behind, and we're sure your listeners can too. 
Dodging the "friend zone" is something worth celebrating, and Caroline Jones sure throws one heck of a party for a special guy who escapes it with her latest release, "All of the Boys." Jones wastes no time kicking off the song with a fun, uptempo beat that is sure to pull you in from the first note as she sings, "I make friends with all of the boys / but I make love to you." She enters into a dreamy first verse that articulates just how special this 'fella is, comparing him to "a rainbow around the bend" before bringing it back around to the high-energy chorus for a real dance-worthy celebration. Written by Jones, alongside Zac Brown, who she has recently joined on tour, the song is sure to grab the attention of modern-day Country fans and offer a fresh new sound to Country playlists. "All of the Boys" is the third track on Jones' "Chasin Me" EP, which was released last year and includes previous single "Chasin' Me."
As an independent artist, Jessica Lynn has already racked up an impressive number of fans both in the U.S. and Europe, and her latest song, power ballad “Run To,” is likely to win her even more. Her emotional delivery, big-voiced choruses and one final, song-ending sigh tell the story of someone trying to make sense of a relationship and where it’s headed. “I wanna run to / Anything that makes me feel you / I’m trying’ my best / What would lyin’ do? / I’ve lied to myself for so long,” she sings, finally wondering, “Baby will you go the way,” a turn of phrase that suggests she wants a love that will go the distance. 
As the happily married father of a baby girl, Brett Young had all the inspiration he needed to write “Lady” right in front of him. Calling the song “a love letter to my beautiful wife [Taylor] and daughter [Presley],” Young penned the sweet ballad with Ross Copperman and Jon Nite not long before Presley’s birth last October, and caught fans’ attention with it when he began performing it during his headlining “The Chapters Tour” earlier this year. In the song, Young describes the differences in a child’s relationship with a father and a mother (”I make you laugh ’til you cry / But she can make your tears dry”), and by the time he gets to the impactful chorus, every father of a daughter (and mothers, too) will likely have an emotional reaction as he sings, “You can always run to daddy / You’ll always be my baby / But look at her, baby girl and you’ll learn / How to be a lady.” It’s an affecting gut punch — in the best possible way. Young says “Lady” is “easily one of the most special songs I’ve ever written. I always knew I would want to write songs for my children, but didn’t realize the inspiration would come so quickly before my daughter was even born. It’s a message to Presley about her mom, and it became a pretty obvious choice for my first single in a new chapter of music. It’s so meaningful to Taylor and I, and I hope it resonates in a similar way for anyone who listens.” “Lady” is the first single off Young’s next project for BMLG Records. He’s already on a winning streak with six consecutive #1 hits, and “Lady” has all the hallmarks of being lucky number seven.
Lady Antebellum has a special treat for us, and with champagne in the title, you know it's going to be good! After helping shape the song alongside NBC-TV "Songland" contestant Madeline Merlo and producer Shane McAnally, the trio selected it as the winner of the show's season premiere episode and released it to Country radio the next week due to high fan demand. “We had a blast bringing this song to life for our episode,” said Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott. “We started the process of the song over the Winter in a very different time and headspace. But now, with everything going on, it’s almost like that little dose of exactly what I need right now - a light and fun little reminder to enjoy the simpler moments.” We agree. The song is the uplifting medicine everyone needs right now, and pays tribute to high life in the country. The chorus sings, "Raisin' plastic cups to a life of luxury / C'est la vie on a Friday / We get dressed up in a blue jean tux / And we go where we don't hear the highway / Don't need doubles and bubbles / To get in all kinds of trouble / Out in the country / Don't need a crystal chandelier / To have a real good time / We're drinkin' beer on a champagne night." We couldn't have said it better ourselves. After taking the #1 on iTunes' all-genre chart and becoming the first song from the "Songland" series to become a radio single, it's clear as a champagne flute that this project is already resonating with many. So raise your glass and hit "add" on this catchy single. Cheers!
What’s shaping up to be a year of quality Country duets continues with rising singer Alana Springsteen’s wistful new single featuring Curb Records’ Filmore. The unrequited love song finds a man and a woman pining for one another across a room, even though he’s with someone else who makes him happy, and they both agree, “I hate the way, you’re better without me.” Written by Springsteen, Chris Gelbuda and Jeremy Lister, the song is already getting airplay love from Entercom’s WNSH/New York and garnering strong streaming numbers on Spotify and Apple Music. Springsteen’s music has also earned support from Radio Disney Country, SiriusXM, Pandora, Amazon Music, CMT’s Artist Discovery Program, and iHeartRadio’s digital artist integration program. In an “only in Nashville” kind of story, Filmore is credited with discovering Springsteen after hearing her demos during a Lyft ride driven by Springsteen’s father. He later took her on his “Slower” tour as a support act. Filmore said the song “blew me away, and I remember bugging her to make sure I could sing on it! I love how it turned out, and am a huge Alana fan.” Added Springsteen, “If you had told me a year ago, I was gonna be releasing a song with Filmore this month, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. The second I heard his voice on this song I fell in love with it even more! Such a dream collaboration for me, and I can’t wait for the world to hear it.” Springsteen, a Virginia Beach native and Nashville transplant, is at work on new music with Grammy-winning producer Luke Wooten.
While he may be a new name to some, Austin native Parker McCollum has been performing live for more than a decade, and has already amassed an impressive touring and fan base, which includes 230,000 followers own Instagram, and 166,000 on Twitter. Prior to signing with MCA Nashville last summer, he released two acclaimed albums as an independent artist, and earned a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Nashville in 2018. He’s also garnered significant positive press, with the The Austin Chronicle lauding his songwriting for "carrying on the traditions of Texas music without pretension or referring to pickup trucks.” He’s been named an “artist to watch” by CMT, Rolling Stone, SiriusXM, MusicRow and Sounds Like Nashville. “Pretty Heart,” released last August, was written by McCollum and Randy Montana, and finds the handsome singer reminiscing about a past love and its unfortunate ending. It’s a shining example of his lauded songwriting. “I been drinking like a drunkard / In these Austin neon lights / Burning smokes and wondering / If there’s anything I’ve done right,” he sings in a voice tinged with regret. In the chorus, McCollum shoulders the blame, signing, “I’m the one who dropped the ball / Got you high and let you fall / Let the best thing I ever had slip away.” He may not be a newcomer, but this is still an extremely promising national debut for the young rising star on Country radio.
Chris Bandi EP
