One of my favorite Country artists of the mid-2000’s was Jason Michael Carroll. He had some big radio hits with “Alyssa Lies”, “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead” and “Living Our Love Song” which I loved. Well, Jason is back with a great new single called “Tell Me Your Name” (Diane’s Song” and he was nice enough to call in and chat about it.
Here’s the new single “Tell Me Your Name”
Make sure you follow Jason @jasonmichaelcarroll on social media for updates!
Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, New Kids on the Block, Rick Astley, Salt N Pepa and En Vogue were radio staples, and I was into all of them! So, last year, when the Mixtape Tour was announced, I got a little giddy about the line-up. It’s every middle-aged woman’s dream!
Yes, if you’re excited about this, you are middle aged. Own it.
And what shows my middle-age cred even more is how much I love this collab of all the artists menitoned above that dropped this week called “Bring Back the Time” and the muisc video that goes along with it. It pays homage to the great music videos of the 80’s MTV era.
You see kids, before MTV was all lame ass reality shows, it was actual badass music videos, and it was glorious.
Morgan Wallen keeps on comin’ with the big hits. His album “Dangerous” was the #1 selling album of 2021 despite being “cancelled” (over 3 million copies sold, which is a massive number, especially these days) and it keeps spawning hit after hit.
His latest radio release is another surefire #1. “Wasted on You” is a well-written heartbreak song that anyone who has ever drowned their heartbreak in Jack Daniels can relate to. What I like about Morgan’s music is that he bridges old and new Country and puts out songs that almost every Country fan can approve of.
I’m a huge fan of the show “Yellowstone”, so when I got the chance this week to chat with actress Jen Landon who portays “Teeter” on the show, you know I was super excited for it! And of course, she’s just the coolest.
The newest radio single by Mammoth WVH (Fronted by the son of the late, great Eddie Van Halen’s song Wolfgang) is one of my favorite new releases on Rock radio right now. I was really hoping this would be his latest single, and that wish was granted.
“Epiphany” has all the stuff I like- great bass line and guitar riff, passionate vocals, and a power chorus. I’m betting this will be #1 on the Active Rock charts by the Spring. Calling it now.
Thank you, Eddie Van Halen, for the music and for passing that talent onto your son!
So, “Flower Shops” by ERNEST and Morgan Wallen is one of my favorite new songs of the year (perhaps my #1 fave so far) so I really wanted to have a chat with ERNEST (all caps, because why not?) and talk about everything from music to parenthood to “Yellowstone”!
I've always been a late bloomer in life, and the same goes for me and motherhood. So many people would ask me in my late twenties and thirties why I didn't have...
I’m all for REAL Country music, and when this song hit my inbox, I immediately fell in love with it! Up and Comer ERNEST has a true Country voice and style, and when you combine it with Morgan Wallen, you’ve got modern Country GOLD.
“Flower Shops” has one of my new favorite lines “Violets and Daisies to hide all the crazy”. The song is already #1 on itunes, and I’m thinking it’s just starting it’s run as a chart topper. I’m happy to kick off the new year with some real Country music… I hope this trend cotinues the rest of the year! I can’t wait to hear more from both ERNEST and Morgan in the coming months. As for Morgan, it looks like Country music has moved on from his controversy of last year, as his album “Dangerous” was the #1 album of 2021. NOT just in Country music, but across all the genres. Say what you will about him, the guy has chops.
Plus, if you want some bad Country music behavior- go look up what George Jones and Randy Travis -two legends- got into in their day. We just didn’t have the social media to blow things up.
As 2021 draws to a close (which noone is mad about, I’m sure), I have to say that at least music-wise, it was a good year. One of the silver linings of the pandemic was the fact that many artists had a chance to work up some new tunes, and here’s a list of some of my favorites of the past year.
#10: Jack White “Taking Me Back”
I’m a big fan of Jack White, and was pretty excited to get a new song from him this past month. Expect a new album and tour from him in 2022!
#9: Ed Sheeran “Bad Habits”
Ed is one of my favorite Pop Stars. Straight, no-bullshit talent and a great persona to go along with it. His latest album “=” leans to more 80’s dance-pop, which I am here for. “Bad Habits” is fun, catchy, and proves that Ed can do way more than love ballads.
#8: Walker Hays “Fancy Like”
At first listen, I was like, “Um, what?” But then I couldn’t get it out of my head. And I totally relate, as I love me some Applebee’s. Walker is one of the nicest guys in the biz, and after so long of having “almost” hits, it’s great to see him finally blow up in a major way. He deserves it. Ain’t nothing wrong with fun, catchy tunes. We needed it with all the mess happening in the world.
#7: Halestorm “Back From the Dead”
Halestorm is one of my favorite Modern Rock bands, and Lzzy Hale is a certified badass. They continue the badassery with their latest single “Back From the Dead” and it gets me ready for their new album due out next year.
#6: Parker McCollum “Like a Cowboy”
Parker is one of the hottest things on the Country Music scene right now, and I’m kind of pissy that this song wasn’t as big as it should be. Sure, his radio hits are ok, but this song is what’s up. Real Country music… more of this should be on the radio, in my humble opinion. Or maybe I just like anything that refers to Cowboys.
#5: Royal Blood “Troubles Coming”
I’ve been a Royal Blood fan from the start, and this song definitely had me rocking in the studio every time I got to play it. When a radio personality doesn’t get sick of a song, that’s saying something.
#4: The Weeknd “Save Your Tears”
Ok, so it’s not the deepest song, but I love the Weeknd, and the beat to this song goes perfectly with a horse’s trot. As someone who usually has music playing when I ride, (courtesy of my phone in my sports bra) this is definitely on my riding playlist. Yes, I have a playlist for horseback riding. When I was a kid, all I wanted was to ride to music, and now I can. Isn’t technology grand?
#3: Kenny Chesney “Knowing You”
Such a simple, yet beautiful song. It had me turning it up every time it came on. Also, any song that references tumbleweeds makes me happy. I blame Tracy Lawrence for that.
#2: Dua Lipa “Levitating”
Ok, when I first heard this song, I hated it. Mainly because of the lyric “My Sugar Boo”. But dammit, it grew on me like a fungus, and it stays stuck in my head. It’s a fun, easy dance bop, and every time I heard it, I would crank it up and sing and dance along, much to my husband’s chagrin. It’s ok to like stupid songs. There, I said it.
#1: Eric Church “Hell of a View”
Eric Church is one of the best artists out there right now, in any genre. And this song spoke to me not only on a music level, but lyrically as well. Having a near fifteen year marrigae to a soldier with a lot of adventure and new things happening (um, like a new baby?), this song hit me hard in the feels this year, and was definitely my 2021 theme song. Looking back on life so far, all the good and bad, it’s one hell of a view.
So, there ya go. My Top 10 favorite songs of 2021. Some may complain that it’s too mainstream, but I really don’t care. This is what spoke to me this year, and that’s what is so cool about music- it hits everyone differently.
That being said, I would love to hear what your favorite songs of the year are!
Here’s to a new (and hopefully better!) 2022! At least there’s always music, right?
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