Big Awards Night In Nashville
'Tequila' Takes Home Country Song Of The Year Honors At BMI Country Awards
SONGS & DAUGHTERS Pres. NICOLLE GALYON and writer/producer ROSS COPPERMAN shared top honors as Songwriter Of The Year at the BMI Country Awards, held TONIGHT (11/12) at the company’s NASHVILLE headquarters. DAN + SHAY’s ...
Three Downsized At Midwest Family/Madison, WI
MIDWEST FAMILY/MADISON, WI experiences some downsizing, with three people exiting yesterday (11/12). Country WWQM (Q106) APD/middayer DAVE OGDEN and night jock/traffic guy JASON RYAN are ...
Chris Janson shows us his romantic side with new single, "Done." The mid-tempo track offers an immediate hook as Janson sings, "Done / The first time I saw you, done / Like the first dance was through, I was done / That one kiss, I knew / There was nothing I wouldn't do." The tune’s lyrics are accentuated by a musically pleasant chord progression. Written by Janson, Jamie Allen Paulin, Mitchell Edward Oglesby and Matthew Ryan Roy, Janson confirmed with 
Granger Smith is back with new music, and it's a breath of fresh air in this fast-paced world. In the midst of a life-changing year in which Smith lost his 2-year-old son, River, he shared with fans via Instagram that he's found a new perspective on life and plans to share that through his music and tours. "If you see me on tour, or hear new music, know this: it matters to me. Or makes me smile, or makes me think of my dad, or my little red-headed boy [River]. Or my wife, kids, momma, friends, struggles and triumphs," he wrote. "But ... wait ... isn’t that what Country music is supposed to be about?" In the same post, Smith introduced his new single, writing, "It’s about finding peace. Finding yourself. Finding God on a road that’s rough around the edges just like us. It’s about that rural sanctuary we all know so well behind a pair of headlights, a steering wheel and your heavy thoughts." The tune, written by Smith, Chris DeStefano, Jon Nite and Brad Rempel, starts with the heartbeat of a kickdrum that calls listeners to the freedom of the dirt road. Smith sings, "Midnight Milky Way through a cracked windshield / The highways never know how free this feels." As your shoulders drop and you're daydreaming of the open road, Smith proves the simplicity of a dirt road is often the only therapy we need, singing: "Talk to God on 'em, we get lost on 'em / Find our way to a rocky mountain top on 'em / We get stuck on 'em, fall in love on 'em / Rough around the edges just like us / That's why I love dirt roads." Feels good, doesn't it? Believe it or not, the lyrics aren't the only thing that paint a beautiful picture in this song. The single artwork brings Smith's lyrics to life with an illustration of a dirt road scene with a few personal touches, like his late son's image illuminating the mountains. The message Smith shares through all aspects of this single is a strong one, and we encourage you to share it by adding it to your playlist.
This British holiday hit suits the international group King Calaway perfectly. First released in 1971 (as “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”) by its writers, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, it has since become a Christmas staple covered by a diverse array of artists, including Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Sarah McLachlan, The Fray, and the pairing of Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson. In their trademark style, the members of King Calaway take turns on lead vocals, then blend their voices into the background ooos after the first verse. They harmonize again on the song’s memorable background chant, “War is over / If you want it / War is over now.” Lush instrumentals add depth to the track. “We really tried to convey messages of hope and happiness in the album, ‘Rivers,’ we just released and wanted to continue that theme with the release of ‘Happy Christmas,’” said drummer Chris Deaton. “We also wanted to pay homage to the great John Lennon - an artist who has influenced us as a band tremendously. When recording the track, we stayed very true to the original, but were still able to instill what is quickly becoming that distinct King Calaway sound. We hope people love our take on this Christmas classic.”
Carrie Underwood has added some jazzy musical flavors onto her latest radio release, "Drinking Alone." The tune’s lyrical concept is slightly sensual, with the singer commiserating about a relationship gone wrong. Stylistically, it’s a departure from her previous songs. Matching the tone of the track, the production keeps Underwood front and center singing fast-paced lines like, "Let me make one thing clear / You can buy me a beer / But you ain't taking me home / No pickup lines / I came here tonight / To shed a few tears on my own." The sultriness continues with her restrained vocals until Underwood belts the chorus, "We should be drinking alone, together / Drowning the pain is better / With somebody else who got problems / We ain’t gonna solve 'em / But misery loves company / Tonight all I need is a stranger / Lips with a whiskey chaser / And a corner booth kiss." Written by Underwood, David Garcia and Brett James, it is the fourth single from her "Cry Pretty" album. Listeners will appreciate this more mature side from the powerhouse singer. Catch Underwood as she hosts and performs on the upcoming "53rd Annual CMA Awards" on Wednesday, November 13th on ABC-TV.
What could be more special and true-to-life than a song written for the artist’s own proposal, then played as the first dance at his recent wedding to reality TV personality Lauren Bushnell? The mid-tempo song, written by Lane, Jacob Durrett and Ernest K Smith, was already a fan favorite, which led to it being chosen as Lane’s next single. Bonus songwriting points to whoever came up with the lines that reference George Strait and his 1995 hit, “Check Yes Or No.” Lane’s song sweetly describes looking at the woman he loves during an everyday moment, while mentally mapping out a future with her that involves a diamond ring, “a little house out on some hand-me-down land,” and even a vacation with their future children. He then reveals, “She don't know I already bought a ring / Hid it in the bottom left drawer, right beside the sink / Shiny emerald diamond on a brand-new band / Asked her mama for permission and her daddy for her hand.” By the end of the song, the couple’s real-life proposal plays out in song as he drops to one knee and pops the question in her hometown. Lane will embark on his headlining “Big, Big Plans Tour” on October 31st, taking it to major cities nationwide through February. We’re taking bets now on just how many fan couples get engaged onstage or in the audience as Lane plays “Big, Big Plans” throughout the tour.
Luke Bryan takes a turn into the romantic lane once again with his latest single, "What She Wants Tonight." Backed by a rhythmic hook, the lyrics center around a beguiling female, with Bryan singing, "She walks up, velvet rope unhooks / She snaps her fingers and a drink comes / She locks you down with just one look / She's got this whole club undone." The chorus then brings the real heat as he continues, "Don't even know what she'll do when she does it / Palm of her hand, I'm hers in the blink of an eye / She don't take no and I love / She gets what she wants / And I get to be what she wants tonight." Written by Bryan, Ross Copperman, Hillary Lindsey and Jon Nite, the track is the second release from the singer's upcoming, still unnamed album. In a press release, Bryan described the writing process, saying, "We came up with some really infectious hooks for this song, and I think women listeners are going to like that the girl in the song controls the dynamic of the situation. I’ve been wanting to get a big, rocking tempo out for some time and this is certainly it." Bryan clearly knew what he was doing, since the song was most-added in its first week at Country radio. 
For those of us who have really missed this band, it’s a delight to not only see Hootie & The Blowfish return, but to find them now signed to a Nashville label and releasing music that reflects their classic, bluesey sound which — surprise — now fits in perfectly on today’s Country radio. What’s not to love about a song written by Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers and produced by Frank Rogers, who collectively have been responsible for scores of Country hits already? It’s got tempo, it’s got lead singer Darius Rucker’s warm and distinctive vocals, and it’s got an uplifting message. That’s a win/win/win. After an opening verse noting that the “whole world’s going wrong,” the chorus spreads the feel-good vibes with the lyrics, “There ain’t nothing that a little love can’t get us through / We gotta hold on, when it feels like hope is gone / There is a remedy for you and me / We gotta hold on to each other.” There’s further encouragement later in the song to “keep reaching out with open arms.” The song is the first radio single from their new album, “Imperfect Circle,” which drops on November 1st. It’s the album’s only outside cut, but the band members say they knew right way that it was perfect for the set. Says Rucker, “When I heard it, I was like, ‘This is the song.’” Bassist Dean Felber was drawn in knowing “what it would mean in today’s world.” And drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld says, “I don’t think there was a song that summed up more of a vibe that we’ve had within our band, going back to the early ’90 and sort of lifting each other up and looking out for one another.” Yup, we’re gonna hold on to this one.
Runaway June, owners of the highest charting single from a female trio in 16 years ("Buy My Own Drinks"), are continuing their momentum with a new single, "Head Over Heels." The song, penned by the trio's Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne, alongside Tommy Cecil and Jared Mullins, is sure to catch the ears of your female demographic with a relatable storyline, several references to shoes, and a whole lotta sass. "'Cause these ain't my late night, lace up, black leather shoes / These ain't my downtown, dance around, waitin' on you / These ain't my lonely cab ride, one night thrills / These ain't my 'You get drunk, call me up, and head over' heels," the lyrics cleverly state. You tell 'em, ladies. That guy doesn't stand a chance! The song is the first track on the trio's recent album, "Blue Roses," and is sure to be have your listeners falling even more "head over heels" for these change-makers. There's no doubt this single has what it takes for these women to "runaway" with a #1 this time around.
Chuck Mead experiments with a retro production on his new single, "Shake." As a former member of popular '90s Country band BR549, Mead isn’t new to creating unique-sounding Country music. This song comes from his recent album, “Close To Home.” Mead recorded the project at the iconic Sam Phillips Recording studio in Memphis, and the city's musical history influenced Mead throughout the creative process. At times, Mead's vocals on the track have an Elvis Presley-esque flair, which complements the reverb-heavy production. In an interview with 
The wait is over. Sam Hunt is back at it on Country radio and we assure you, your female demographic has never been more excited about anything. Get ready for request lines to light up because the new single, "Kinfolks," is everything listeners could have hoped for from the Cedartown, GA native. The song, written by Hunt alongside Zach Crowell, Jerry Flowers and Josh Osborne, is full of confidence and Hunt's signature swag as he sings about introducing a special someone to his "Kinfolks." The chorus reads, "I wanna introduce you to my kinfolks / To my old friends / To the house in the pines where the road ends." Hunt continues, "Take you to my hometown / Where I grew up / Where I thought I knew it all before I knew what love was / Gave up on it / But honey you got my hopes up / And I'm thinkin' that I wanna introduce you to my kinfolks." How does he make everything sound so cool? The song has created a lot of buzz, making it the most-added record at Country radio in its first week with 125 Mediabase adds, and that station count will only continue to climb. “When I think of ‘Kinfolks,' when I think of that phrase, I think of my family, but also I think of my people back home – beyond family," shared Hunt." "It’s my buddies who’ve been a part of my story from the beginning. I’ve made a lot of new friends and met a lot of new people who are important to me since I’ve moved away, but that core group is still my core group. It’s like that old saying, ‘You can’t make old friends.’” We're sure Hunt will add you to his list of "kinfolks" if you jack up those spins!
Newcomer Lainey Wilson makes an impressive debut with the sexy, mid-tempo “Dirty Looks,” the first radio single from her Jay Joyce-produced ”Redneck Hollywood” EP. The Louisiana native co-wrote the song with Smith Ahnquist and Brent Anderson, and they no doubt had some fun in the writing room as they worked out how to give the title two very different meanings. First, there’s the more obvious one about a couple getting dirty looks from strangers as a result of their PDA in a bar. The second is spelled out in the chorus, where Wilson sings about her blue collar beau, “Somethin' 'bout rough hands on a hard-workin' man / I just wanna get all over you / Like the dirt on your shirt and your jeans and your boots / If you ask me, dirty looks / Good on you, boy.” Wilson moved to Nashville in a bumper-pull camper trailer, where she lived for three years while establishing herself in the city’s songwriting community. She landed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV, then a record deal with Broken Bow after independently releasing a self-titled EP in 2018. She was also chosen as part of CMT’s Next Women of Country class of 2019, and spent the early part of this year opening dates on Morgan Wallen’s “If I Know Me” tour. She’s paid her dues and earned her place, so it’s unlikely her inevitable success will lead to any dirty looks!
Few songs this year have been met with as much excitement (or surprise) as the pairing of superstars-in-the-making Dan + Shay with Pop prince Justin Bieber. Their smooth, mid-tempo collaboration is a tribute to their wives, and sounds precisely like what you’d expect from a Dan + Shay hit, just with the addition of an extra voice that actually fits in quite seamlessly with the pair’s already Pop-tinged vocal leanings. Produced by the duo’s Dan Smyers, and written by Shay Mooney, Smyers and Bieber, alongside Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds and Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, the song was warmly embraced by Country radio, earning 112 Mediabase adds. That made it easily the most-added single during its debut week. The lyrics center on spending all the time it takes learning every detail of their wives’ lives — their dreams, their favorite songs, the origin of their middle names, and “the good and the bad and everything in between.” As the three men sing in the song’s honeyed chorus, “I’d spend 10,000 hours and 10,000 more / Oh, if that's what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours / And I might never get there, but I'm gonna try / If it's 10,000 hours or the rest of my life / I’m gonna love you.” Is it too much to hope for a collaboration with the Biebs on next month’s CMA Awards, where Dan + Shay are among the year’s most-nominated artists? Or perhaps the Pop star will make one or more appearances when Dan + Shay embark on their headlining arena tour in March, 2020. We’d wait 10,000 hours to see that.
Lauren Alaina gets contemplative in her latest single, "Getting Good." The opening line, "Once I fall in love then I'll be happy / But then you fall in love and there's still a hole," is a powerful concept to kick off the song. The track is backed by subtle acoustic instruments and highlights Alaina's signature vocals, which are restrained to keep the song's lyrical message as the focus. The sucker punch line in the song comes when she sings, "I'm afraid of both my parents dying / I call my dad, he answers right away / And I didn't hear a word 'cause I was thinking / About what hasn't happened yet but will someday." Overall, the tune showcases the singer’s maturity as a person and an artist. Alaina posted about the Emily Weisband-penned song on her 
Not so much a band as a self-described “collaborative movement,” The Highwomen materialized this past summer when they began making appearances together and talking up their self-titled debut album, which was released in September. This first radio single from the project finds the group’s Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires — all successful solo artists in their own right — trading lines, singing in unison, and sometimes harmonizing together on a midtempo female empowerment song with just enough humor to appeal to men as well. Written by Hemby and Rodney Clawson, the song perfectly describes the life of most women who juggle families and careers. Anyone who fits that description will nod knowingly at lines about “running the world while we're cleaning up the kitchen / Making bank, shaking hands, driving 80 / Trying to get home just to feed the baby.” Those head nods will morph into vigorous shakes of agreement when The Highwomen sing about how the effort feels “halfway right and halfway wrong,” but it “always gets better with wine.” And they’ll be laughing out loud at quips like, “Made in God's image, just a better version,” and, “If the shoe fits, we're gonna buy 11.” Hemby says of the track, ”’Redesigning Women' is the life most women are living today. We juggle so much in 24 hours, and I wanted to write a song that reflected the goodness, the madness and the hilarity of it all." Mission accomplished. Now pass the wine.
Carly Pearce and Lee Brice have joined forces for a bold new single sharing the pain on both sides of a breakup. The vulnerable song, penned by Pearce alongside Luke Combs, Jonathan Singleton and Randy Montana, is based off of Pearce's personal experience in following her heart, and might leave you overcome with emotion. Pearce sets the tone by singing, "It's all on me, it's my mistake / I said I don't love you a little too late." Pearce unveils just how much pain she caused as she continues to take the blame into the first verse: "Go run my name into the ground / Tell everyone you know just how / I slammed the door on our forever / But I promise you it's for the better." Brice joins in the chorus, where Pearce continues to console her ex-lover: "I hope you find what you were looking for / I hope your heart ain't hurting anymore / And you get moving on / All figured out and you don't hate me somehow / 'Cause I hope you're happy now." The blended voices of Brice and Pearce ooze maturity, and right when they have you wondering about the other side of the story, Brice brings it full circle by taking on the part of the other half, singing: "Who knew this heart could break this hard / Or a love like ours could fall apart / Without so much as a warning / I thought that I was what you wanted." Powerful stuff. While the collaboration between Pearce and Brice came as a surprise to many, after your first listen, you'll wonder why they didn't collaborate sooner! “I am so excited to share such a personal part of my story with one of the best male vocalists in our format,” Pearce says. “Lee has the kind of gruff yet vulnerable quality to his sound that I envisioned for this duet, and [I] am grateful he agreed to join me. This song is raw and real, truly something I think many people around the world will relate to.”
In the three years since the accidental death of his teenage son, Jerry, Craig Morgan wondered if he still had it in him to continue his music career, telling 
