Fitz (credit: Tyler Austin)
Hubbard/Seattle Names Scott Mahalick Dir. Brand/Content, And Fitz KNUC Morning Host
At HUBBARD RADIO/SEATTLE, SCOTT MAHALICK joins as Dir. Brand/Content. Also, FITZ has been named morning host at Country KNUC (NEW COUNTRY 98.9 THE BULL), effective MONDAY, APRIL 22nd. FITZ has also signed with CAA for representation in all area. He is ...
Charley Connolly Tapped As Cumulus/Youngstown OM
CUMULUS MEDIA/YOUNGSTOWN brings in veteran radio programmer CHARLEY CONNOLLY to the OM post effective TOMORROW (4/16). In addition to overseeing the eight station cluster -- Classic Rock ...
Filmore’s debut single, “Slower,” has the perfect catchy melody for getting listeners ready for warmer weather. This life-validating tune, which has already garnered more than 26 million streams on Spotify, endorses the idea of slowing down and enjoying the little things during a summer romance. The production encapsulates the sound of new Country, and fans will find themselves singing along to the lyrics in no time, with lines such as: “Let’s make this night move a little bit slower, girl / And take another lap around this ole town / And let the radio take us where we wanna go / Get a little closer on the side of the road / Somewhere where we know nobody’s watching / Get this world revolving a little bit slower.” Filmore, who co-wrote the song with Justin Ebach and Steven Dale Jones, is currently on Walker Hayes’ “Dream On It Tour,” and will be performing at the 2019 Stagecoach Festival on Friday, April 26th.
If your family is somewhat less than perfect (and whose isn’t?) you’re going to find something to relate to in Caylee Hammack’s confident debut single, which already has a buzz going at Country radio. Written by Hammack, Troy Verges and Gordie Sampson, “Family Tree” includes such witty lines as, “Grandma sold her Maytag dryer to post my uncle’s bail / He’ll be hanging her laundry ‘til there’s a snow storm in hell.” Peppered with autobiographical details from the rising star’s South Georgia upbringing, the song describes a few more bad apples among her kin before declaring in the conciliatory chorus, “The roots run deep / And ain’t nothing gonna shake our family tree.” Hammack’s distinctive voice — both as a singer and a writer - immediately sets this song apart, and looks to be the start of a bright career for the young artist.
Midland could be well on its way to singlehandedly making line dancing popular again with their new single, “Mr. Lonely.” The tune has already gained so much traction with fans that the group posted several videos on their YouTube page showcasing a new, choreographed line dance for the song. The instrumental guitar riff is reminiscent of ‘90s Dwight Yoakam as it leads into the lyrics, “We got debutantes and socialites / And mamas from the PTA / We got bachelorettes dressed up in white / And little black dress divorcees / Long live the blues / They’re keeping me in business / Some want to dance, some want to party / Whatever they need, they call me / Mr. Lonely, Mr. Good-Time.” Midland’s frontman, Mark Wystrach, adds extra twang to his vocals to complete the throwback musical style. The trio co-wrote this lead single for their upcoming sophomore album with previous collaborators Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, who also helped them co-write their first #1 song, “Drinkin’ Problem.” Stay tuned for their single’s official music video, which will star actor and singer/songwriter Dennis Quaid as “Mr. Lonely.”
Caroline Jones captures a melodic sweetness on her current single, “Chasin’ Me." The lyrics begin by telling a story of a woman’s hesitation to love, as she sings, “I've never given anyone a chance at my heart / Mama always said it was a treasure to guard / And the man who is worthy of giving it to / Will stick around long enough to prove it to you.” The romantic tune is a follow-up to her previous track, “The Difference (Goshdamn).” Both songs are portrayed in a two-part music video series which stars Cody Walker, the late actor Paul Walker’s brother, as Jones' love interest. Walker’s character is playfully chasing her as each drives a sports car cross-country. The lyrical concept was inspired by Jones' favorite romantic comedies. That inspiration can be felt in the catchy chorus that says, “I’ve always been the one in control / But that boy just does something to my soul / He’s chasin’ me / Down every road, like my heart is a map he can read / He’s chasin’ me / And I hate to admit / But I like it a little bit." Fans will enjoy hearing this lighthearted song as Jones continues to open for Kenny Chesney’s “Songs For The Saints 2019 Tour," before joining Zac Brown Band's "The Owl Tour" this summer.
You know you’re in solid Country music territory when a song references Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s iconic 1987 hit, “Fishin’ In The Dark” … and when Luke Bryan is singing it! His breezy, mid-tempo new single — written by Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson and Jon Nite — screams summertime, with references to sweet tea, dance floors and two lane roads. But with a title like “Knockin’ Boots,” there’s no pretense here about what the song is really saying. Luke’s got lovin’ on his mind, as evidenced by lyrics about back seats, closed doors and switched off lights, plus overt lines about “me on you / and you on me,” coupled with slightly more subtle lyrics like, “That dress needs to slip off / That hair needs to come down,” and “Shades need drawing, hearts need falling / Boots need knockin’” The titular expression might be a tad dated, but the desire it expresses is timeless.
Some of the best Country songs have tackled the divide between wild Saturday nights and reflective Sunday mornings, but Aaron Goodvin’s new single puts a clever twist on that theme. Comparing bars and churches, he notes in the catchy chorus: “There's one on every corner / You ain't gotta look too hard / And those doors'll swing wide open, no matter who you are / It's where Jesus knows to go to find the sinners and the saints / It's where you hit your knees, say a prayer and take a drink / Cause we're all hurtin’, and we're all searchin' / In bars and churches.” Goodwin, who wrote the song with Ben Stennis, recently told 
Nobody likes to be pigeonholed as just one thing, and Scotty McCreery captures that sentiment perfectly on his new single, “In Between.” In the clever lyrics — written by McCreery, Frank Rogers, Jessi Alexander and Jonathan Singleton — he describes himself as a mix of ball cap and pearl snap, of “big city concrete” and “small town dirt,” and of “Friday night wild and quiet Sunday morning.” That all leads into the chorus, where he declares, “I ain’t all holy water, and I ain’t all Jim Beam / I’m somewhere in between.” McCreery says, “For me, the theme of ‘In Between’ is all about balance. Everyone’s not all one thing or all the other. We all have many facets to our lives. It’s about knowing who you are and finding the balance that’s right for you.” The song is the third single from his “Seasons Change” album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and has already spawned the back-to-back #1 singles “Five More Minutes” and “This Is It.” With fans as invested as they have become in McCreery’s life and story, they’re sure to appreciate this autobiographical glimpse into a young star on the rise.
If you’re expecting a downer from a song called “Heartbreak,” you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Hunter Hayes’ bouncy new single takes an optimistic look at the title subject, embracing the viewpoint that each heartbreak gets him that much closer to the one he’s ultimately meant to be with. With some needed tempo for spring and summer, Hayes squeezes a lot of words in, particularly on the spoken/sung second verse. The production takes a fun turn on a call-and-response chorus where his list of moments gone wrong (“Another bad first date / Another ‘nothing left to say’”) is followed by the word “check.” Hayes says, “‘Heartbreak’ is a love song about breakups. I promise it makes sense when you hear it ... For me, there’s a humor in how many times you get knocked down.” The song impacted radio on March 25th, having already reached nearly six million on-demand streams since January. Hayes is looking forward to performing it on his 20-date, headlining “Closer To You Tour,” which kicks off April 18th in Atlanta.
Reba McEntire’s powerful new anthem, “Freedom,” is far from a typical sentimental love song. Rather, it details the sometimes painful steps some take to find love (“I’ve held strangers in my arms / To pull apart the bars / Because I couldn’t find the key”), and the liberating feeling of finally finding it. As the chorus swells, Reba joyfully sings, “That’s why people fight for it, rise for it / Burn up the night for it / Cry for it, pine for it / Cross rivers wide for it / Once you’ve held the truth / There’s nothing you won’t do / And when I look into your eyes / I know why people died for it / Freedom / Loving you feels like freedom.” While the song employs a traditional Country style, the overall musical production is modern, punctuated by the singer’s distinctive vocal style. Co-written by James Brunswick, Tommy Cecil, Jaida Dreyer and John Pierce, “Freedom” is the lead single from Reba's upcoming album, “Stronger Than The Truth,” releasing Friday, April 5th. While making the album, Reba has said that she chose songs that touched her heart. That’s the same formula that won her a GRAMMY Award for her 2017 inspirational album, “Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.” Sounds like a winning strategy.
An unexpected mix of electronic synth sounds and traditional instruments gives the latest single from hit-maker Dustin Lynch a fresh, contemporary vibe. “Ridin’ Roads” is the lead single from Lynch’s newly-released EP of the same name, and it’s likely to take him farther down the hit highway as the follow-up to his sixth #1. Its catchy chorus features easy, sing-along lines like, “Ridin’ roads that don’t nobody go down / A little trip through the countryside / These 38s making the world go ‘round / I hit a curb just to make you slide.” It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser when Lynch supports Thomas Rhett’s upcoming “Very Hot Summer Tour.” Lynch co-wrote the song with hit songwriter Ashley Gorley and producer Zach Crowell. The laid-back melody accompanies lyrical visuals of the singer’s small hometown of Tullahoma, TN, which may just leave you wanting to visit.
Layered harmonies and a fresh, youthful sound give this standout track all the elements of the kind of earworm likely to dominate the airwaves this summer. The multi-national group (members hail from Gilbraltar, Scotland, and right here in the U.S. of A) shakes off any boy band comparisons by confidently declaring that they're putting the "band" back in "boy band." Indeed, they are all talented musicians in their own right, and display a unique trait onstage -- and in the studio -- when all six members trade off lead vocals duties ... in the same song! Here they croon their way through a relatable song about wanting to shut out the world's distractions and exist, for a time, in a romantic bubble and "make it all disappear like lovers do." Formed in early 2018, this band is on the fast track under the production guidance of Nashville veterans Robert Deaton and Ross Copperman and the worldwide clout of BMG. Look for big things from them.
Country music's high-energy entertainer, Chris Janson, has delivered the potential feel-good song of the summer with his latest single, "Good Vibes." The song has already surpassed 1.2 million total streams and was one of the most added at Country radio this week (3/4). The recipe is simple: a catchy electric guitar opening, solid beat, and uplifting lyrics. Janson sings, "I'm gettin' them good vibes / I'm havin' this good life / I'm breathin' on God's time / And I ain't gonna waste one breath." OK, I want what he's having for breakfast (which was probably Sour Patch Kids and Mountain Dew). Janson continues, "I'm soakin' it all up / I got me a full cup / And there ain't nothing gonna spill it / Nothin' gonna kill it / Wavin' them worries goodbye / I'm feelin' them good vibes." In addition to the positive spirit of the song, Janson brings the lyrics to life in the song's music video, which stars the Missouri native's happy family. "I was very adamant about the video including random acts of kindness, random acts of happiness, random acts of smiling, and just doing things that make people happy, which is what ‘Good Vibes’ is all about,” shared Janson. We're convinced. A dose of this song to your playlist and you, too, will be waving them worries goodbye!
Big Loud's HARDY may be a newcomer to the Country scene, but that's not stopping him from making a big statement with his debut single, "Rednecker." Written by the Mississippi native, alongside Andy Albert and Jordan Schmidt, the song glorifies the redneck lifestyle with playful lyrics and a true Country vibe. So what exactly does it mean to be "Rednecker" than anyone else? One listen to the chorus and you'll have your answer, as HARDY sings, "My town's smaller than your town / And I got a bigger buck and bass on my wall / Got a little more kick in my drawl / Y'all I got little more spit in my chaw" Well, I guess we're out of the running, how about you? The chorus continues, "My truck's louder than your truck / And my collar's a little more blue / You might think that you're redneck / But I'm rednecker than you." No arguments here. This playful single will have even the biggest cities' listeners crackin' a cold one and finding their inner redneck as they help shoot this one up the charts.
Fresh from his March 2nd performance on "Saturday Night Live," Thomas Rhett drops this feel-good anthem to Country radio. Lyrically Rhett is, once again, inspired by his loving relationship with wife Lauren, and it shows in the lyrics, such as, “She walks in the room it’s like she answered my prayers / The way she moves / How could anybody blame her / I know she’s got haters / But it ain’t her fault / No. Look at what God gave her.” Co-written by the singer along with his father, Rhett Akins, plus Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, Jacob Hindlin, and Amar Malik, the song was custom created to be a hit. And choosing an upbeat tempo was a smart move this close to Spring. The production has a smooth, Country Pop vibe with a melody that will be stuck in your head for hours. Rhett’s lyrics are as carefree as the catchy musical arrangement as he sings, “Got that look in her eyes / Swear she fell right out the sky / Yeah, I think I’ve seen the light / Every kiss, I could die / It’s like the heavens opened wide.” The single is the lead track from Rhett’s upcoming album, “Center Point Road,” set to release on Friday, May 31st.
David Lee Murphy is back with the title track to his 2018 album that has already spawned the #1 hit duet with Kenny Chesney, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” Murphy, of course, is no stranger to Country radio, with success as both as a songwriter and a hit-maker, best known for such mid-‘90s smashes as “Dust On The Bottle,” and “Party Crowd," which are still played in stations’ gold categories. His new single begins with a hooky musical intro that leads into the chorus: “We all wanna live out in the country / Way back off an old gravel road / Pick a little spot where they can’t find us / No address, no zip code.” His familiar Country voice is perfect on the sing-along track that will get listeners ready for the warmer temperatures. Chesney has said of Murphy, “People need to hear this voice, and his perspective.” And listeners will definitely appreciate the down-home nature of the song’s theme of finding a little relaxation in a Country lifestyle. 
Jennifer Nettles is adulting hard in her newest single, and sharing the honest struggles of being a woman balancing a career and a family. It’s not easy, ladies, and Nettles speaks the truth when she sings, “I look at my baby, I wouldn't trade him for the world / And I've gained joy like I've never known / But lost the lightness when I was a girl.” And that’s just the warmup. She candidly sings, “I’ve lost people and money / To become the woman I am today / And I'll still be becoming tomorrow / Maybe losin', but still choosin' her anyway.” That’s deep, y’all! Message aside, this ballad is the perfect vehicle to showcase Nettles’ considerable vocal gifts, as well as her practically patented ability to wring every last drop of emotion out of a lyric. She released the song with a short, accompanying essay on 
We're all a little guilty of looking past the beauty in life sometimes, which is all the more reason Dierks Bentley's new single serves as a reminder to stop and smell the … mountains. Inspired by Bentley’s second home in Colorado, where “your high’s a little high,” as the lyrics suggest, “Living,” offer a level of perspective and humility that we can all stand to recall from time to time. With “a heart full of grateful,” Bentley — who wrote the song with Nashville A-listers Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, and Ashley Gorley — uses the uplifting chorus to compare those “days you just get by” to the days when you’re really living. The simple, yet impactful lyrics have the ability to immediately take that weight off your shoulders and remind you that life is worth living, not just coasting through. So live a little, and spin it now.
Aldean has another likely hit on his hands with this title track from an album that has already generated three multi-week #1 singles, bringing his career total to a whopping 22 chart-toppers. Talk about a winning streak! The Academy of Country Music’s reigning Entertainer of the Year chose a deliberate, lumbering tempo to unspool this story about leaving behind — in a cloud of dust, naturally — the whistle-stop where he got his heart broken, changing the tiny town’s head count to “population: minus me.” The angsty lyrics include lines like, “I stuck a middle finger up in the sky / flipped off that ‘Y’all come back' sign.” Yeah, he’s pretty much over it! “Sometimes you have to let go of the things behind you that have held you down and look forward,” Aldean has said of the track. “That’s this song to me, and I think a lot of my people have been there in their lives too.” Middle fingers skyward if you can relate.
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean makes his solo debut as a Country artist with his first official Country radio single, “Boy And A Man,” and it’s swoon-worthy. The song begins with acoustic instrumentation, then adds snapping when McLean’s vocals are added. The song gives a romantic vibe which is sure to grab the attention of female listeners with lines such as, “Cause you deserve better than you’ve had before / Right now you’ve got a fella standing at your door / I’ll treat you like a lady / Ain’t just going to call you baby / A couple kisses and walk away.” The tune musically builds up to a catchy chorus while also adding McLean’s expert vocal skills. Overall, the song is a great choice for his musical style and will be on his upcoming album, “Long Road,” which is set for release this Spring.
Their first single under a new partnership with BMG/Wheelhouse ushers in a new sound for this GRAMMY-winning band that’s a bit of a departure from what we’ve come to expect from them sonically, thanks to its snap tracks, slightly psychedelic production, and even a bit of vocal distortion. But the lyrics and message are crystal clear. It’s a three-and-a-half-minute parable about a former “hometown hero” turned “burned out life superstar” who “kept a buzz to fill the hole.” It's also a brutally honest look at someone who “ran himself into the ground” as he “rides the high that tears him down / Hates himself and loves the crowd / The king of fools a heavy crown / He didn’t know he almost drowned.” Brown admits the song is at least somewhat autobiographical. In commentary that accompanies the download, Brown speaks of how “pain and depression [don’t] discriminate,” and says, “This song is me facing that part of myself … I would encourage people, that when they feel they have a need, or they feel like they have a voice that’s telling them to face something, it’s a sign of strength to ask for help and to face the things that are really hard. And that’s what defines you, overcoming those things.” 
Fresh from joining CMT’s Next Women Of Country Class Of 2019, Stephanie Quayle released the new single “If I Was A Cowboy.” The daydreamy tune imagines the cowboy lifestyle from a female perspective by singing, “If I was a cowboy, I’d be on my second beer / Not staring at my cellphone, stuck in the bathroom mirror.” Before long, listeners will be humming or whistling along to the catchy chorus, “Cowboys ain’t fragile / They’re back in the saddle / Don’t wait for their heart to unbreak / They just ride away.” Quayle’s fresh angle on combining a Western feel with a modern song will grab the listeners’ attention. The song follows her previous single, “Selfish,” and will soon be a fan favorite.
Coming out of the Sunday, February 10th GRAMMY Awards with four wins, Kacey Musgraves is by far the most buzzed about Country artist right now, so MCA Nashville was smart to capitalize on her momentum by servicing “Rainbow” to Country radio immediately following the show. The track is the closing number on her magical “Golden Hour” album, which just won golden gramophones for both Country album and and all-genre Album Of The Year. “Rainbow” is ethereal, lovely, and guaranteed to produce a range of emotions with lyrics softly encouraging someone to get out of their own way long enough to see that, “There’s always been a rainbow hanging over your head.” At a 2018 album premiere party for “Golden Hour,” Musgraves told attendees that she sang “Rainbow” at her grandmother’s funeral. Knowing that, it’s hard not to visualize the song in that context. But with lyrics about “the struggle of staying above, the rising water line,” its gently motivating message is applicable to just about any challenging situation life throws at us.
Buckle up everyone, Dan + Shay have released another steamy single to Country radio and are ready to warm up the airwaves just in time for Valentine's Day. The new single, "All To Myself," is right in the duo's sweet spot with powerful, romantic lyrics that will have your female demos singing along. Starting out sweet and slow, accompanied by guitar, the duo immediately starts melting hearts by singing, "I'm jealous of the blue jeans that you're wearing / And the way they're holding you so tight / I'm jealous of the moon that keeps on staring / So lock the door and turn out the night." Is it hot in here, or is it just me? The song continues to build to an upbeat chorus that will force listeners to smile while thinking of that special someone: "I want you all to myself / We don't need anyone else / Let our bodies do the talking / Let our shadows paint the wall / I want you here in my arms / We'll hide away in the dark / Slip your hand in my back pocket / Go and let your long hair fall / I want you all to myself." This song is the perfect mix of romance, fun and, like the duo's last two singles, will surely take the fast lane to the top of the charts.
The very best Country songs are ones with lyrics just ambiguous enough for the listener to apply them to his or her own life. That’s exactly the case with Tim McGraw’s latest, which seems to be sung to someone no longer living. A series of random events trigger memories of the lost loved one, including a young mother laughing on her phone, a child eating ice cream, a Honda full of Daytona-bound Spring breakers, and a homeless person holding a misspelled “hungry” sign. The clincher comes at the end when the Country superstar sings, “I saw a red balloon somebody just let fly / I watched it getting smaller up in the sky / For a minute or two, and I thought about you.” In the song, written by Brad and Brett Warren and Lee Miller, McGraw reflects on the things he’s gotten both right and wrong in his life: “I thought about fire and how we walk through it / The times I got it right, the times I blew it / I thought about real, I thought about good and I thought about true / And I thought about you.” Who can’t relate to that?
Texas-bred duo Smithfield has us dreaming of younger days with their latest single, "Our World," serving as a reminder of the carefree spirit and endless energy we all had once upon a time. The lyrics pluck memories directly from the lives of anyone with experience as an American teen, as Smithfield’s Trey Smith and Jennifer Fielder sing, "Our world was a small town Friday night / Dancing with the stars and the fireflies / Red plastic cups and twist-off wine / Our world was a swing on your daddy's porch / Late night phone calls, and I miss you more / We knew it all back when we didn't have a clue." Ah yes, is that ringing a bell for anyone else? The chorus continues, "Those were the nights that had no tomorrow / Yeah they went on and on and on / Just like a tires on a '95 Bronco / Nobody to slow us down." From the opening notes to the cold ending, the song has us thinking about rummaging through the closet to find that old letterman jacket.
There's no better way to get females in the 18-34 demo to crank up the dial than with a little #GirlPower, and Aaron Watson's latest single, "Kiss That Girl Goodbye," oozes it. A breakup song may not be what you expected to hear next from the Texas native, but Watson admits he had a special request from 9-year-old daughter Jolee Kate to write a song for the ladies. The track is fueled by a high energy chorus that showcases the power of Watson's band as he sings, "If ever was a good day / It's the day that boy can kiss that girl goodbye / Just like a redeye flight / Two taillights in the night / You're gon' spread your wings and fly / That boy can kiss that girl goodbye." As the song progresses, Watson continues to put the mistreating men in their places like only a proud father could. "If he really wants a goodbye kiss / He must be out of his ever loving mind / If he really wants a goodbye kiss / You tell him to go kiss it where the sun don't shine," he sings. Yeah, what he said! The single is the first taste of Watson's forthcoming album, "Red Bandana" (due in June), that includes 20 new songs from the independent artist. Something tells us Watson’s new album is one we won’t want to “kiss goodbye.”
"Better Off Gone" is one of those songs that immediately sounds familiar thanks to Logan Mize's ability to capture listeners with a vibey guitar beat and catchy hook. His emotional attachment to the lyrics is apparent, and his sultry voice pulls you in as he sings, "She's gone, movin' on / Takin' off my leather jacket / She gonna drive as far as she can tonight / She gonna sleep on the roadside / She'll know when our hometown Country station turns to static / She ain't ever been that far from home / But I know she's better off gone." The song tells an all-too-familiar story, too -- one that anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to someone they love can relate to. That pain is especially apparent in the song's bridge: "Only good thing I ever had / Just up and gone away like that / I love her enough to not hold on / It's gonna break my heart but I'll get along / 'Cause she's better off gone." The track has already landed on Spotify's "Hot Country" and "New Boots" playlists, garnering more than 22 million streams on the platform. Additionally, you can catch Mize on the road as he joins Carly Pearce and Russell Dickerson for "The Way Back Tour," which runs through March 3rd. This song is better off ON your playlist than gone.
Is it possible to pray your significant other into existence? It’s a lovely sentiment, and the premise of Arkansas native Matt Stell’s equally lovely song about harnessing a divine power to meet the love of your life. A believer, despite being “far from a preacher” or “a church pew regular,” Stell’s protagonist asks God for someone with “graceful eyes to see me through / A smile that steals me, a heart that heals me / A touch that kills me too.” And God delivers! The song delivers as well. And with more than 15 million streams to date, it has already found a fan base. That’s thanks, in part, to a hooky chorus with a Bible reference about keeping the faith “like that old King James said I’m supposed to.” Amen.
Whoever's idea it was to team Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell together for a duet ... THANK YOU. The familiar grit of Brantley's sound paired with Lindsay's perfectly pitched, soothing vocals is exactly what a Country breakup song needs, and then some. This mid-tempo track will have listeners singing along with its story-telling chorus: "'Cause what happens in a small town stays in a small town / Every back road we've ever gone down / Friday night bleachers, Sunday pews / Ain't a county line mile without a memory of you / Every whisper, every room I walk in / Every time the bartender fills it up again / Everybody knows why I'm here and you ain't around / 'Cause what happens in a small town stays in a small town." The lyrics may be all too relatable for tons of listeners, which makes it an automatic sing-along (and maybe even a text to their ex). The hype for this track was worth the wait, but let's not leave it in a small town; let's take it nationwide, bringing Gilbert his fifth career #1 and Ell her well-earned first. Add "What Happens In A Small Town" to your playlist ASAP.
EMI Nashville's Eric Church has us "desperate" for another single off his latest album, "Desperate Man," and with the new year here, we don't have to wait any longer. Church's new single, "Some Of It," stays true to his signature style, pairing a chill vibe with lyrics that make you feel like he's having a conversation directly with you (over an ice cold beer, of course!). In the song's chorus, Church sings, "Some of it you learn the hard way / Some of it you read on a page / Some of it comes from heartbreak / Most of it comes with age / And none of it ever comes easy / A bunch of it you maybe can’t use / I know I don’t probably know what I think I do / But there’s something to some of it." With the wisdom and relatability of this single, forget 'Some Of It,' listeners will want to hear ALL of it! 
This autobiographical song has been buzzed about ever since the Arkansas native debuted it on the Grand Ole Opry in 2017. In McBryde’s gifted songwriting hands, some cutting, cruel comments from a less-than-supportive educator are turned into a motivating anthem about overcoming naysayers and living your dreams. Listeners can’t help but be moved by the unflinching lyrics, coupled with with rising artist’s defiant delivery that somehow manages to be more uplifting than angry. “Don't waste your life behind that guitar / You may get gone, but you won't get far / You're not the first, you won't be the last / And you can tell us all about it when you come crawling back,” the song begins. But then McBryde turns her attention to her current life and career, singing, “When the lights come up and I hear the band / And where they said I'd never be is exactly where I am / I hear the crowd / I look around / And I can't find an empty chair / Not bad for a girl goin' nowhere.” If you’re not misty-eyed by the end, check your pulse.
Anyone who grew up in a small town will easily relate to this track about making your own fun when there’s not much else to do on a Friday night (or any night) in a town that “ain’t even big enough to be a map dot.” Louisiana native Scott wrote the song with John Taylor and Matt Alderman, and with a Brooks & Dunn reference tossed into the lyrics, it has all the makings of Scott’s third hit, with lyrics like: “Around here we work and we play / Cuss and we pray / And at the end of a long, hard day / We got a little something, something we can throw on ice / Find us somewhere that we can drink it while the moon’s up high / With your girl and your boys / By the fire, making noise.” Scott has been on a roll the last couple of years, with his first #1, the Platinum-certified “My Girl,” in 2017 being followed up this year with the Gold-certified, Top 5 hit, “Hooked.” More recently, he was selected by Country radio to be one of the performers at Country Radio Seminar’s “New Faces” show in February 2019. Scott is set to head out on the road with with support act Seth Ennis on his 19-date “Nothing To Do Town Tour,” kicking off Thursday, January 17th, 2019 in New York.
The reigning CMA New Artist Of The Year slows down the tempo for the fifth single from his Platinum-certified River House Artists/Columbia Nashville debut album, “This One’s For You.” This track has big shoes to fill since Combs’ first four singles all went to #1, but this romantic, relatable ballad about an “unpredictable, unforgettable, unusual, unbelievable” lady shouldn’t have any trouble matching that feat. The newly-engaged Combs, one of three writers on this song, is thoroughly believable as he sings, “Beautiful crazy / She can’t help but amaze me / The way that she dances, ain’t afraid to take chances / And wears her heart on her sleeve / Yeah she’s crazy, but her crazy’s beautiful to me.” Combs’ 2019 “Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour,” which kicks off January 31st, 2019, already boasts 27 sold-out venues.
Throughout this past year, we've all gotten to know the name Devin Dawson from hearing songs like "All On Me" and "Asking For A Friend." As a California native, Dawson has brought his own style of Country music to the table, and it's really showcased in his new single, "Dark Horse," which also happens to be the title track of his debut album. The autobiographical tune describes Dawson to a T within the first verse: "People always ask why I wear black / Where'd I get my style, and why I never smile in pictures / They ask me what I drink / I'll sip on anything, but I'm a little more California smoke than liquor." As mentioned earlier, Dawson's style is one-of-a-kind in the best way; he knows who he is as an artist and as a person, and that's what he sticks to by only posting in black and white on Instagram, wearing dark-colored clothing, and rarely showing off a full-teeth smile. (But, don't let these things fool you...he's a great guy). Throughout the entirety of "Dark Horse," the passion in Dawson's voice rings out, but even more within the chorus: "I'll side with the outsiders / Those long-shot, last-round fighters / Anyone who ain't afraid to stray off course / My heart bleeds for Country music / Where the honest, outlaw truth is / No, I ain't no white knight / I'm a little more / Dark horse." Let's not leave this "Dark Horse" in the dark; put it in Light, and let your listeners enjoy all that is Devin Dawson.
Just in time for the holidays comes the gift of tempo from Triple Tigers. This hooky third single from Dickerson’s 2017 debt album, “Yours,” comes on the heels of the # 1 hits, “Yours” and “Blue Tacoma,” and it sounds like another winner from this Platinum-selling star. Opening with an Alabama band reference, the song goes on to compare his love to Seattle and Sonoma as the lyrics declare, “She’s everybody’s dream girl but she’s all mine.” A pair of triple repeated phrases make the chorus particularly catchy as Dickerson sings, “I love every little, every little, every little thing about her love / And just a little, just a little, just a little ain’t enough.” Dickerson and pal Carly Pearce will team up beginning in January for the 11-city “The Way Back Tour.” Since both stars now have singles titled “Every Little Thing,” there could be opportunities some fun mashup moments onstage.
Garth Brooks could hardly make eye contact with wife Trisha Yearwood when he debuted this poignant, emotional ballad on the November 14th CMA Awards in Nashville, and by the time he finished performing it there wasn’t a dry eye between them. On his weekly Facebook Live series, “Inside Studio G,” two days before the show, Brooks explained that he had been keeping the song under wraps until Yearwood could hear it for the first time on the CMAs. Now that the live CMA version has been serviced to radio, however, everyone can give it a listen. Just make sure you have tissues handy as Brooks details all the ways his wife tops him in the emotional strength department, singing, “I always thought I had to have the answers / Be her strength and take the lead / But when it comes to anything that really matters, you’re stronger than me.” If that doesn’t get you, wait until he finishes the song with this emotional wallop: “If I have a choice I pray God takes me first / Cause you’re stronger than me.”
A driving beat fuels this catchy song that is also about driving — specifically, a lover driving away from her man after he fails to drop those three little words in a timely manner. It’s completely relatable to anyone who has ever had regrets over not adequately conveying their feelings in a relationship. As Swindell sings, “She’s out there rolling down some old interstate / Wide open, wide open, couldn’t make her stay / Probably cranking up some new freedom song / Wide open, wide open, won’t pick up her phone / While I’m dying here tonight staring goodbye in the face / For saying ‘I love you’ too late.” Ouch! He’s well aware he should have told her how he feels “a couple county lines ago.” Much like the Georgia native’s newly-launched Peppermint Moonshine, this song has a little bite, and a smooth finish. It’s the proven hit maker’s latest release from his No. 1 selling third album, “All Of It.”
Following the success of her debut #1 single, "Every Little Thing," and Top 15 hit, "Hide The Wine," Carly Pearce is ready to explore the next era of her music with her latest single at Country radio, "Closer To You." With an immediate, undeniable beat, the song's tempo will have you bobbing right along with it, and luckily for programmers, Pearce's recent successes have made her a familiar voice to listeners, making her an easy add to the playlist. Plus, you can't help but wonder if the song's lyrics about missing a loved one while away from them is about her precious relationship with Michael Ray, and how amazingly they balance the road life apart. The chorus rings out, "There's a diamond sky that's waiting for us just outside of town / With the moon hanging for me and you, baby / We can cut the headlights out when there ain't no one else around / Kill the space in between, slide across that leather seat / Heart to heart, face to face, you know all I wanna do / Is get closer, closer, closer to you / Closer to you." With this tune, Carly Pearce is getting closer, closer, and closer to being a superstar female act in our format; she is a force to be reckoned with, with no signs of slowing down. As the add date -- which is Monday, November 19th for those who need a reminder! -- for "Closer To You" is creeping up, let's get Closer To Making Carly Pearce A Country Superstar.
Ohhh, boy. Here we go. As Luke says in the opening line of his latest single, "People talkin' 'bout what is and what ain't Country." It is a debate that has raged on for decades. Strings in Country music?! That ain't Country! Drums? No, Lord, say it ain't so! These were the cries of the generations before us. Now, we dwell upon Pop rhythms, tight pants, and ball caps. But, here's the thing. Just like Luke says, "Just be proud of what makes you Country." This song is a straight-across-the-plate home run for Luke Bryan, who is a staple on Country radio and a household name all across America. "What Makes You Country" isn't just the title track from Luke's most recent album, it's also an anthem for those who put in their 40 hours during the week and like to play in the dirt on the weekends. It's a sing-along song with all the signatures of a Luke Bryan hit. "I got my dirt road cred when I was twelve / On a no cab tractor haulin' them bails / Backin' in boats, fishin' limb lines / Runnin' bird dogs through the Georgia pines / Step-side covered down in peanut dust / Friday night spotlightin', that was us / It might not have been you, but I can't just / Just be proud of what makes you Country." What makes Luke Bryan Country is a stable full of hits coupled with Pop culture relevance. That one-two punch will not only keep him selling out stadiums, but will surely keep him a contender for quick adds and power rotations.
FGL is breaking it down and turning up the heat in their newest single at Country radio, "Talk You Out Of It," and I am here to talk you IN to adding it to your playlist (not that you'll need any help, if we're being honest). T-Hubb and BK are pullin' out all of the sex appeal for the track, which kicks off with a banjo riff before heading into a slow tempo beat for the verses. Featuring phrases like "I know you had a long day;" "Got a bottle at your favorite place; "Lookin' like a grown man's dream;" and "We can start with a kiss;" you should be picking up what they're putting down. Now, before we get into discussing the chorus, I am gonna take a brief moment to warn you that it's probably best to not be looking around the crowd if you're at a live FGL show when this song comes on, because you WILL be surrounded by couples making out. Especially as the chorus bursts through: "I talked you into slippin' down the hall, baby, turn it on / Your playlist you play when you're in the shower / Talked you into taking up my time, making up your mind / Switching back and forth for an hour / And now you're lookin' like a line from a Vandross song / I'm looking at that fine little dress you got on / Don't get me wrong, girl, I love it / Now, I just wanna talk you out of it." Regardless of the couples getting too touchy at shows to "Talk You Out Of It," I think this ones just as S-I-M-P-L-E as FGL's last hit, and don't let anyone talk you out of that.
There's an ongoing and passionate conversation underway about female artist development/opportunities at Country radio. We don't have enough room, nor adequate time here, to take a deep dive into that topic, but I have two words that can help the situation immediately: Kelsea Ballerini. This talented young lady has four career #1 singles; major endorsements; an effervescent, positive personality; always represents herself and Country music well; and yet, still seems unfairly under-appreciated. If Colgate-Palmolive, a national brand company with an annual income in the billions of dollars thinks she's worthy enough to pitch Colgate toothpaste on national TV spots, and if Pop duo The Chainsmokers are seeking her out to collaborate, my question is: Country radio, what are you waiting for? For years, I've heard PDs say every song is a marketing opportunity, so now, in Ballerni's case, I say to PDs: use it or lose it. Her new single, "Miss Me More," is an up-tempo, contemporary song with an empowering theme that all ladies can probably relate to: "I thought I'd miss you (when it ended) / I thought it hurt me (but it didn't) / I thought I'd miss you / I thought I'd miss you / But, I miss me more." I don't know if the answer to the female debate at Country radio is to play all the female songs, but maybe we should play a helluva a lot more of the RIGHT ones. If we want another high-profile female star, we have to pitch in and apply some elbow grease here. Wait for it to simply happen at your own peril. Ballerini is young, talented, attractive on many levels, and in demand. We should play this early, often, and for a while. Otherwise, we'll be sitting on the sidelines, watching her grab more big endorsements while she becomes a Pop star, scratching our heads and pondering what could have been. Then, we'll be missing HER more. 
Wheelhouse Records duo Walker McGuire is taking us all back in time with their latest single, "Growin' Up." Bound to put you in your feels, it's a track everyone can easily relate to, as it brings childhood memories to the front of our minds. As many of you know from seeing Walker McGuire perform live -- whether that was in the station break room during their radio tour last year or at a recent show to support a station guitar pull -- the duo's harmonies and lyrics are pretty hard to forget. And, the infectious melody that continues throughout the entire tune pairs perfectly with Jordan Walker and Johnny McGuire's voices as the chorus rings out, "Man, I wish that I could go back now / Stop the clock and take another lap around / If I knew then what I know right now / Life'll get you down, break your heart, mess you up / Yeah man, but that's just part of growing up / Yeah, growing up." Already with more than 615,000 Spotify streams since its Friday, September 21st release, the tune is certainly one that will have listeners turning up the dial this Fall, ready to make plans with friends and family members they may have not seen in a while. This isn't a trick, it's a treat; add "Growin' Up" immediately.
As many a Pop crooner has said before, "love is a many splendored thing." But, one of the greatest, most splendid things about love is that -- in its truest form -- it makes us a better person. But, how could Brothers Osborne really get any better? Your reigning ACM and CMA Vocal Duo Of The Year are bringing you another masterpiece with their newest single, "I Don't Remember Me (Before You)," and it just so happens to be one of my favorites from their brilliant "Port Saint Joe" album. This isn't a guitar-slinging monster like "Shoot Me Straight" or "Stay A Little Longer;" instead, "I Don't Remember Me" echoes the dreamy nostalgia of The BROS underrated (in my opinion) "21 Summer." TJ Osborne's vocals shine in this one, as he questions how in the world he lived a life before finding his true love. "Was I just another ghost in this town? / Who was I when no one was around? / Did I even know what I was living without? / Who were all of my favorite songs about?" If you've fallen in love -- and, who among us hasn't -- you can relate to the pondering of what life was like before that great love came along and forever changed your world. "I heard I was a wild one / Acted like a child some / But, I really don’t recall / Heard I was a fast one / Always was the last one / Waiting on the other shoe to fall / I’ve seen pictures and I’ve heard stories / About the boy I used to be / But, I don’t remember me / No, I don't remember me before you." This song is relatable, a great sing-along, and delivers in continuing The BROS steady stream of radio-friendly gems with instant familiarity. Frankly, I'm starting to think that I don't remember me before BROS...and, I'm betting some of your listeners agree.
Rascal Flatts: 20 years as a successful band, and they're still love struck. And, you will be, too, after just one spin of "Back To Life," the trio's brand new single that accentuates all the positive nuances in a relationship. "Likes coffee with her sugar in the morning / She likes to leave little red lipstick love notes on the mirror / Loves the rain on a tin roof when it's pouring / Doesn't matter what we're listening to / Spinning her around the living room / And, I fall apart every time." Rascal Flatts know who and what they are, and -- while I've said this before about Flatts -- it's still true: they continue to do what they do best on this track. In 2018, it's impossible to have a conversation about Flatts without mentioning Dan + Shay. We must do that again, because Shay Mooney is a co-writer here, and this is why I have nothing but respect for Rascal Flatts. Because, they have shown nothing but respect for Dan + Shay since the young, talented duo came on to the scene, inspired and influenced by ... wait for it ... Rascal Flatts. This isn't the first cut from Dan + Shay the Flatts have cut; it probably won't be the last, either, and this is why Flatts is so smart and will endure. They're not threatened by a new act sitting directly in their musical lane; they embrace it with a bear hug. "Back To Life" is a love song that two lovers can literally waltz to. It's a completely likeable cut with huge female appeal. It's a familiar voice - the voice of Gary LeVox, who can still deliver a tune like this. There's no downside here. 
Regardless of the fact that Chris Lane draws a stick figure girlfriend onto all of his photos on Instagram, this guy knows how to deliver a love song. We heard his daring side on "Fix" and his sweet side on "Take Back Home Girl" with Tori Kelly. Now, Lane is showing us his hopeless romantic side with his newest single, "I Don't Know About You." Already garnering well over 12 million Spotify streams, the tune tells the nerve-racking story of getting to know someone new, and Lane does a clever job at using the title as a double meaning throughout the song. The verses begin with "I don't know about you" and continually list off things Lane hopes the girl is mutually thinking. The chorus ends with the same "I don't know about you line," but with a completely different meaning: "What’s your name, what’s your sign, what’s your birthday? / What’s your wrist tattoo Bible verse say? / Tell me this do you kiss on the first date? / Don’t hold anything back / What’s your dream job? / Girl, where’s your hometown? / What makes your world spin round and around? / Are you down to get out of here, too? / Tell me everything till there’s nothing I don’t know about you." This mid-tempo track will add flavor to every playlist. "I Don't Know About You," but I'd add it ASAP.
With four consecutive #1 songs under his belt, all from his debut album, Brett Young has become an undeniable force on Country radio. His distinctive voice and female-friendly themes have made him a fan-favorite, and now he is preparing to release his sophomore album. Its lead single,"Here Tonight," features everything your listeners have come to love about Brett and his music, and it brings you a punch of tempo with a sing-along chorus. Co-written with Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley along with Ben Caver and Justin Ebach, "Here Tonight" is somewhat autobiographical in nature, as it was written shortly after Brett proposed to fiancee Taylor Mills in February. "We can just stay here in this minute / Lose all track of time / Let the world spin on without us for a while / I'm telling you, we're just one kiss away from heaven / So, baby, hold on tight / Cause I want / To get wrapped up / In your love / So, baby, let's just / Stay here tonight." It won't take more than two listens for this hooky-number to get firmly planted in your head in the best way possible. Give it a listen, and give your listeners what they're looking for with new Brett Young music.
"Let's get a little day drunk / Party with our shades on / Play a bunch of old songs / Sing along, get the words wrong (who cares?) / When you're day drunk / Get down while the sun's up / Make a little good love like it's date night / In the daylight and it feels right when you're / Day drunk, day drunk, yeah when you're / Day drunk, day drunk." On the heels of his first American career #1 hit, Morgan Evans is keeping the good times alive with the release of his newest single, "Day Drunk." Evans' personality shines throughout this entire track; he's full of positivity and fun-packed ideas, and he is clearly a great drinking buddy. With the Fall and Winter seasons slowly but surely creeping up, the weather is ready to get colder, and you're more than likely bound to stay inside more. With that being said, why not take Morgan Evans' great advice and get a little "Day Drunk" with your significant other or a group of friends? As Evans suggests: "I'm thinking happy hour on the hour / Get a good buzz on an hour / Dancing tipsy, sing it with me, baby." Add "Day Drunk" today and give your listeners a reason to celebrate!
Leave it to Carrie Underwood to use her powers for good. By powers, I of course mean her ever-powerful vocals and her prominence as a Country star. And, the good we are speaking of in this instance is the uplifting message of hope Carrie delivers in her latest single, "Love Wins." In a time of divisiveness within our country, and even within our musical tastes, look no further than "Love Wins" for the reminders that unity breeds hope, and from hope springs love...and, naturally, "Love Wins." A straight-down-the-middle, classic Carrie song with instant familiarity is always something to love, as well. "I, I believe / You and me are sisters and brothers / And, I...I believe / We're made to be here for each other / We'll never fall / If we walk hand in hand / Put a world that feels broken together again / Yeah, I...I believe / In the end / Love wins." It's simple, really. Faith, hope, and love; and, the greatest of these is love. Carrie is bringing her message of faith and hope with "Love Wins." 
There has been a huge buzz on CoJo Music/WMN artist Cody Johnson, weeks ahead of his official Monday, September 10th impact date for "On My Way To You." A ten-year vet of relentless touring and career development in the always-hard-to-crack Texas music scene, Johnson arrives fully vetted and fully developed as an artist and person. Part of that development, by the way, has been capably playing to 75,000 fans at the Houston Rodeo, and moving 350,000 hard tickets in 2017. During a recent impromptu "10 Questions" session with All Access Nashville, it was clear this is a mature-beyond-his years (only 30) artist, who is completely self-aware. Johnson has been sharpening his chops among the Nashville songwriting community for a while now, and that work is evident with "On My Way To You." Texas music purists may, on the surface, worry that Johnson will drink the Music Row Kool-Aide and become what they see as part of the assembly line process of making Nashville-ready music. Actually, the opposite is true, because it feels more like Johnson has had an influence on his collaborators, which include veteran Music Row tune smith Brett James. On this single, as with the rest of Johnson's project, you'll hear steel, fiddle, dobro, and banjo - in short, actual Country music. Johnson has crafted a true love story with "On My Way To You," sharing every mistake he's ever made in life, all of which have brought him to his love: "All the boats I’ve missed / All the hell I’ve caused / All the lips I’ve kissed / All the love I’ve lost / I got kicked around / I’ve been black and blue / On my way to you." This tune is catchy, honest, heartfelt, and vulnerable storytelling. Johnson has a nearly perfect voice for Country music and this type of message; it should be a total smash and is a potential game-changer. The pendulum has been slowly moving toward a more traditional feel at Country; maybe Johnson is one of the artists who can make that pendulum swing a lot faster. 
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