Zac Brown Band Announces New Album, The Comeback – Arrives October 15th

Zac Brown Band Announces New Album, The Comeback – Arrives October 15th

Posted on August 30, 2021

Zac Brown Band is back with The Comeback!

The new album, which also shares the same name as their current tour, will arrive October 15th.

Talking about the new collection of songs, Zac Brown says, “The Comeback celebrates our collective resilience as a community. This music is about standing together and rediscovering our roots and what makes us human. We feel incredibly blessed to be back out on the road again, sharing these new songs with our fans.”

Zac adds, “The only good thing about getting knocked down is The Comeback when it comes back around.”

Zac Brown has a big hand in the new album, as he is a co-writer on every track, plus he also co-produced the project alongside frequent collaborator, Ben Simonetti.

The Comeback track listing;
1.    “Slow Burn” – Zac Brown, Ben Hayslip, Ben Simonetti
2.    “Out In The Middle” – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
3.    “Wild Palomino” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
4.    “Us Against The World” – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
5.    “Same Boat” – Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
6.    “Stubborn Pride” (feat. Marcus King) – Zac Brown, Marcus King, Ben Simonetti
7.    “Fun Having Fun” – Zac Brown, Kenny Habul, Kurt Thomas, Ben Simonetti
8.    “The Comeback” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
9.    “Old Love Song” – Zac Brown, Luke Combs, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
10. “Any Day Now” – Zac Brown, Clay Cook, Josh Dunne, Ray Fulcher, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
11. “Paradise Lost On Me” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
12. “GA Clay” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Neil Mason, Ben Simonetti, Jonathan Singleton
13. “Love & Sunsets” – Zac Brown, Luke Dick, Ben Simonetti
14. “Closer To Heaven” (feat. Gregory Porter) – Zac Brown, John Driskell Hopkins, Ben Simonetti
15. “Don’t Let Your Heart” – Zac Brown, Wyatt Beasley Durrette III, Levi Lowrey, Jimmy De Martini, Ben Simonetti

Giving fans a taste of what’s coming on the 15-song release, Zac Brown Band shared the track, “Slow Burn”…

Talking about the track, Zac says “‘Slow Burn’ is definitely about that first, young love. There are very specific memories that are tied to being in love for the first time. ‘Slow Burn’ captures the feeling of going back to places where the details of all those experiences that helped shape you come rushing back.”

Zac Brown Band is climbing the country song chart with their current single from The Comeback, “Same Boat”

Commenting on the first single from The Comeback, Zac Brown says of “Same Boat”, “The song means a lot to me because I’ve been hearing about how divided that we are, and everyone is…and I’d like for everyone to be reminded that we’re all the same. That human condition is something we all share together.”

Photo Credit: Alex Chapman

A Day In The Country – August 30th – Zac Brown Band, Jake Owen, Sara Evans, Brooks & Dunn

A Day In The Country – August 30th – Zac Brown Band, Jake Owen, Sara Evans, Brooks & Dunn

Posted on August 30, 2021

This is A Day in the Country with Paul Koffy – August 30th

On this day in 2015, Zac Brown Band was at number-1 with “Loving You Easy.”

In 2011, Jake Owen released his album, Barefoot Blue Night which included the number-one title track

In 2007, Sara Evans album, Real Fine Place, was certified Platinum

And back in 2005, Brooks & Dunn released their album Hillbilly Deluxe – which featured the hits “Believe” and “Play Something Country.”

 

Photo Credit: Lowfield

Chris Stapleton Brings “Worry B Gone” to Late Night

Chris Stapleton Brings “Worry B Gone” to Late Night

Posted on August 30, 2021

Did you catch Chris Stapleton‘s recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers?

From his album, Starting Over, Chris performed “Worry B Gone.”

Check it out here…

Chris is also climbing the country chart with “You Should Probably Leave” – his current single from Starting Over.

Photo Courtesy of UMG Nashville

Ashley McBryde Was the Talk of the Town at the Ryman With Special Guests

Ashley McBryde Was the Talk of the Town at the Ryman With Special Guests

Posted on August 29, 2021

Ashley McBryde‘s This Town Talks tour completed a 3-show stop at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN this past weekend.

Taking the stage of the mother church of country music, Ashley set the rules for what the fans could expect, “It’s a beautiful night for country music. Here’s what you’re gonna experience: some country songs, some rock songs; some happy ones, maybe some sad ones; some slow ones, some fast ones and some half-ass ones.” Then she added, “Let’s get on with it!”

On Thursday night, the first of the 3 shows, Ashley had a very special guest come out for a song – reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Eric Church!

Eric came out to join Ashley on a performance of the Allman Brothers Band’s classic, “Midnight Rider.”

Ashley also had the show’s opening act Lainey Wilson, return to the stage. As she bought her back out Ashley said, “How about a nice round of applause for our sister, we’re so proud to have her!”

The pair then sang “When Will I Be Loved” – which was made famous by Linda Ronstadt and The Everly Brothers.   

At the end of the night Ashley remined the crowd, “You didn’t show up to the Ryman Auditorium tonight because we were going to be here, we showed up tonight because you were going to be here.”

Ashley’s This Town Talks tour will continue with dates through the rest of 2021, then into January 2022.

Aug. 27, 2021             Ryman Auditorium w/ Caylee Hammack       Nashville, Tenn.
Aug. 28, 2021             Ryman Auditorium w/ Caitlyn Smith             Nashville, Tenn.
Sept. 2, 2021               The Pageant                                                    St. Louis, Mo.+
Sept. 3, 2021               Bogart’s                                                          Cincinnati, Ohio+
Sept. 16, 2021             The Sylvee                                                      Madison, Wis.^
Sept. 22, 2021             The Wilma                                                      Missoula, Mont.~
Sept. 23, 2021             Martin Woldson Theatre at the Fox                Spokane, Wash.~
Sept. 25, 2021             Showbox                                                         Seattle, Wash.~
Sept. 26, 2021             Roseland Theater                                            Portland, Ore.~
Sept. 29, 2021             Ace of Spades                                                 Sacramento, Calif.~
Oct. 3, 2021                House of Blues                                               San Diego, Calif.+
Oct. 5, 2021                The Wiltern                                                     Los Angeles, Calif.+
Oct. 13, 2021              Ogden Theatre                                                Denver, Colo.~
Nov. 12, 2021             The Eastern                                                     Atlanta, Ga.+
Nov. 13, 2021             Tivoli Theatre                                                 Chattanooga, Tenn.+
Nov. 14, 2021             The Fillmore Charlotte                                   Charlotte, N.C.+
Dec. 8, 2021                Riviera Theater                                              Chicago, Ill.+
Dec. 11, 2021  `           Mississippi Moon Bar                                    Dubuque, Iowa+
Dec. 12, 2021              Egyptian Room at Old National Centre         Indianapolis, Ind.+
Jan. 6, 2022                 Brown Theatre                                                Louisville, Ky.+
Jan. 7, 2022                 Roxian Theatre                                               Pittsburgh, Pa.+
Jan. 8, 2022                 The National                                                   Richmond, Va.+
Jan. 13, 2022               20 Monroe Live                                              Grand Rapids, Mich.*
Jan. 14, 2022               The Fillmore                                                   Detroit, Mich.*
Jan. 15, 2022               Agora Theater                                                 Cleveland, Ohio#
*Morgan Wade as support | ^Adam Hambrick as support | +Priscilla Block as support |
~Ray Fulcher as support | #Support to be announced

Watch this compilation video of pivotal performance moments captured around Ashley McBryde’s song “Girl Goin’ Nowhere”

Headline Photo Credit: Daniel Meigs

Additional Photos Credit: Katie Kauss

Laine Hardy Made His Opry Debut This Weekend, As His Debut Album Arrives September 17th

Laine Hardy Made His Opry Debut This Weekend, As His Debut Album Arrives September 17th

Posted on August 29, 2021

This weekend Laine Hardy made his debut on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. 

During his set, Laine performed his songs “Authentic” and “Other LA” – both tracks are featured on his upcoming debut album, Here’s to Anyone, which arrives for fans on September 17th.

From the stage, Laine talked to the crowd in attendance at the Opry House, about what the night meant to him. “I’m very grateful to be where I am, here today. Without the help of my family, friends…everybody, I wouldn’t be here tonight.”

Becoming visibly emotional in the moment, Laine continued, “I give all thanks to them, and most importantly I give all of my thanks to the good Lord above for helping me along this journey and getting me where I am today. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank Him for everything that He’s done for me”

Laine finished with thanking everyone for coming out to see himself, Lauren Alaina, Michael Ray and Rodney Crowell, “I’m just thankful that everybody came out today…to listen to all these people, and I’m just excited to be here. Happy to be here today.” 

Laine’s music wasn’t the only talk of the night – his outfit made a statement as well. His suit was designed and embroidered by Ranger Stitch – included touches that honored not only his heritage as a native Louisianan, but his Korean roots as well. The attire featured many of his home state’s most iconic images; magnolias, and alligators, plus there was a tiger designed in traditional Korean style.

Laine’s debut album Here’s To Anyone will be out September 17th.

Talking about the tracks on the project, he says “I’m a down-home guy, from Southeast Louisiana, and I just want to show all my fans that I’m not going to stray away from who I am, and where I come from. I feel like we really did that with the album and I’m very proud of it.”

Here’s To Anyone track list:

  1. “Authentic” (Jessi Alexander, Matt Jenkins, David Lee Murphy)
  2. “For a Girl” (Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher, Tony Martin, Johnny Dailey)
  3. “Here’s to Anyone” (Jacob Rice, John King, Derrick Southerland)
  4. “Memorize You” (Michael Tyler, Eric Arjes, Steven Dale Jones)
  5. “One of Those” (Laine Hardy, Jordan Reynolds, Laura Veltz)
  6. “Comin’ Down” (Justin Weaver, Josh Miller, Josh Mirenda)
  7. “Ground I Grew Up On” (Josh Thompson, Brett Beavers, Brandon Kinney)
  8. “California Won’t” (Mike Busbee, Andrew Dorff, Jon Nite)
  9. “Tiny Town” (Michael Tyler)
  10. “The Other LA” (Laine Hardy, Erik Dylan, Andy Sheridan, Dan Isbell)
  11. “Let There Be Country” (Jason Afable, Steve Moakler, Tim Nicholas)

Here’s To Anyone, which is produced by Michael Knox (Jason Aldean), is available to pre-order/pre-save/pre-add now at https://smarturl.it/HeresToAnyone.

Check out the music video for “Authentic” from Laine Hardy…

Photos Credit: Chris Hollo

Thomas Rhett Got Country Again Thanks to His Wife and Quarantine

Thomas Rhett Got Country Again Thanks to His Wife and Quarantine

Posted on August 27, 2021

Thomas Rhett admits that he did not do well at the start of quarantine last year, “The first 30, 40 days of quarantine I was freaking out cause I did not know what to do.”

He was thrown out of his routine, and in a way, with all the time he had on his hands…he didn’t know what to do with himself. “You know, I was like, ‘We’re supposed to be in rehearsal. We’re supposed to be on the road. We’re supposed to be doing this.'” 

But it was a conversation with his wife Lauren, that help center Thomas back on the things he knew were important, “My wife was like, ‘Honey, I think you have to just realize that you can’t do this right now. So, maybe why don’t you just take a step back and live some life and then go try to write again.’ And so, I literally didn’t write a song for almost two months, which is the longest I’ve ever gone, I think, in my whole life.”

That’s where the song “Country Again” found its footing, “When I came back, the very first song I wrote was ‘Country Again’.”

When it comes to the word “country”, Thomas says, “I think the word ‘country’ is a pretty strong synonym. I think it means a multitude of things. Just like any other word in the world, it could be construed for good, or construed for bad, you know. I think ‘country’ for a lot of people means boots and fiddle and steel guitar and being in the woods, and I think those things are definitely one meaning, but for me, even in the song ‘Country Again’ it is about that stuff, but it’s more about just a simple way of life, and a lifestyle where you don’t need much to make you happy, and on a musical front the word ‘country’ to me, means an honest story.”

Photo Courtesy of Valory Music Co

A Day In The Country – August 27 – Chris Stapleton, Matt Stell, Jon Pardi & FGL

A Day In The Country – August 27 – Chris Stapleton, Matt Stell, Jon Pardi & FGL

Posted on August 27, 2021

This is A Day in the Country with Paul Koffy – August 27th

On this day in 2020, Chris Stapleton sent “Starting Over” to country radio

In 2019, Matt Stell performed “Prayed for You” on an episode of “Bachelor in Paradise”

In 2016, Jon Pardi was at number-one with “Head Over Boots”

And in 2012, Florida Georgia Line’s video for their smash hit “Cruise” made its video debut

Photo Courtesy of Chris Stapleton

Michael Ray’s EP, Higher Education – Available Now!

Michael Ray’s EP, Higher Education – Available Now!

Posted on August 27, 2021

Michael Ray‘s EP, Higher Education is available now!

Michael says his new project wouldn’t have been possible without the journey he’s been on in his life and career, “I feel like out of all my records, I’m proud of the success, proud of the hits, proud of getting the opportunity to tour…cuz all of that together led up to this…you know the good and the bad, the highs and lows.”

Michael shares that before 2020, everything felt like it was on fast forward. “It’s fast moving, so you go go go go, and your body gets trained to this and all of a sudden…errr…you’re stopped. It’s all gone.”

The resulting shutdown and home quarantining due to COVID last year gave him time to reflect on what he was doing musical, “I think my mind set wasn’t so much of when’s it coming back it was like ‘What if it doesn’t?’ What if…I knew that it would…but I was just preparing for the worst. And I was like ‘What id that did happen? What if they’re done? Why didn’t I do this? Why wouldn’t have I just said this? Why wouldn’t have I done that?'”

With those thoughts Michael chose and wrote music that had more of a personal connection to him than ever before, like his song “Picture”

Michael knew in creating this more personal music fans would also connect with the songs in a new way, “Country music is a universal language. It’s real. It’s about real life. It’s about real people. It’s about real situations. So, odds are, if you’re writing from a place of a broken heart, or love, or to go ride roads with your buddies and just drink some beer and hang out, other people are feeling that too, and have been through it. It’s the one thing that ties us all together…no matter anything that’s going on in the world, music ties us all together.”

Higher Education track list;

1. “Whiskey and Rain” (Josh Thompson, Jesse Frasure)
2. “Just The Way I Am” (Michael Hardy, Ben West, Josh Miller)
3. “Holy Water” (Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson, Michael Hardy)
4. “Picture” (Michael Ray, David Garcia, Michael Hardy)
5. “Higher Education” (Tim Montana, Derek George, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Frank Rogers)
6. “Live Without You” (Michael Hardy, Jessi Alexander, Corey Crowder)
7. “Didn’t Know I Was Country” (Michael Ray, Taylor Phillips, Ashley Gorley)

Higher Education also includes Michael’s current hit single at country radio, “Whiskey And Rain”

Photo Credit: Sean Hagwell

Niko Moon’s Debut Album, Good Time, Has Been a Labor of Love – and It’s Available Now

Niko Moon’s Debut Album, Good Time, Has Been a Labor of Love – and It’s Available Now

Posted on August 27, 2021

Niko Moon‘s debut album Good Time is available now!

As the album dropped at midnight, Niko did a little late-night celebrating, “I can’t believe my first album is here! I hope y’all are celebrating just as hard as we are”

Niko is celebrating because making his debut album was truly a labor of love that started with his wife, Anna Moon, in 2019, “It’s such a good feeling man, I’ve spent over two years working on this album. You know, me and my wife wrote all the songs on the album except for the last one which is a cover of ‘Great Day To Be Alive’ by Travis Tritt. You know, we made it in my studio in my house and it is truly is like from my family to y’all so I wanted to make an album that was just feel good music from the first song of last one and I hope everybody enjoys it.”

Good Time includes the title track, “No Sad Songs” – Niko’s current single, and this track, “Paradise To Me”

Good Time track list;
1. “NO SAD SONGS” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty/Steven Lee Olsen/Alysa Vanderheym)
2. “WAY BACK” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
3. “PARADISE TO ME” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
4. “LAST CALL” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
5. “DANCE WITH ME” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
6. “GOOD TIME” (Niko Moon/Jordan Minton/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty/Mark Trussell)
7. “LET IT RIDE” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
8. “SHE AIN’T YOU” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
9. “SMALL TOWN STATE OF MIND” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
10. “GOOD AT LOVING YOU” (Niko Moon/Blake Bollinger/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
11. “WITHOUT SAYIN A WORD” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
12. “DRUNK OVER YOU” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
13. “DIAMOND” (Niko Moon/Anna Moon/Joshua Murty)
14. “IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE” (Darrell Scott)
Produced by Joshua Murty and Niko Moon

For Niko Moon, 2021 has seen him have a number-one song with “Good Time,” head out with Lady A on the What A Song Can Do tour, and now his debut album is available for fans…Niko says this year, for him, truly has been a good time, “I mean it’s unbelievable I’m just feeling so grateful so blessed all I’ve ever wanted to do is just make country music and make people happy and I feel like I’m doing that right now and it’s such a good feeling.”

Talking about his current single at country radio, Niko says, “‘No Sad Songs’ is all about having fun. As we all know, life can be stressful at times and this song right here is all about putting that to the side for a minute and just enjoying life and having fun.”

Niko Moon’s album Good Time is available now…

Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato

Brantley Gilbert Has the Worst Advice For Guys Popping the Question

Brantley Gilbert Has the Worst Advice For Guys Popping the Question

Posted on August 27, 2021

Getting to go to a concert to see your favorite artist or even getting to meet them backstage seems like the perfect moment for a life changing question to be asked…but Brantley Gilbert says, guys may want to rethink that opportunity, “We’ve had people propose in meet and greet lines and at shows and everything else. But I tell everybody, it’s like, even when it’s 100% chance that she’s gonna say yes, that you’ve talked about it and you haven’t been in an argument that day, it’s a vulnerable position.”

Brantley thinks guys don’t really think about the moment of the proposal,  “It’s somewhere we don’t spend much time in our lives. As men sometimes, not that we’re not willing to, but sometimes we just don’t know how to say what it is we feel.”

But he also think if your style has work so far…keep it up, “You got to this point just doing you, so man, just do you.”

Brantley, like all artists, has seen proposals that went as planned…and he’s also seen plenty that have gone off the rails. So, he offers some good advice when it comes to popping the question, “In your way, tell her what it is about her that makes you want to marry her.”

And Brantley’s worst advice is, “If you can’t come up with anything get off your knee and run in the other direction. That’s terrible advice. (laugh)”

For fans that get engaged at Brantley’s show in the near future…will they use his “The Worst Country Song Of All Time” as their wedding song?

Photo Courtesy of Brantley Gilbert

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