Jennifer Lopez just dropped a new single today, and you know what? It’s super fun.
I honestly haven’t been a fan of her music lately, but her new song is catchy and fun, and the video is great!
It kind of pokes fun at her multiple marriages and relationships, and I throuroughly enjoyed watching it.
Also, how the hell is she in her fifties? Good genes? Good doctors? Both?
Who cares. Woman is KILLING it, as always!
I think this may be the perfect restart to her music career. Just an all-around feel-good song.
Go JLo!
Side note: I used to work at the place that she married Ben Affleck at. The estate is located on Hampon Island in Riceboro, GA, where I used to work in the equestrian department in 2007-2009. I got to go to the house once, and even met Ben a few times.
I kid you not.
Super nice guy, and I’m happy for him and Jennifer.
Gabby Barrett is gearing up for the release of her new album, and is getting you ready by putting out her collab with Miranda Lambert “You’re My Texas”.
Now, sadly, Miranda doesn’t lend her vocals to the track, but she did co-write the song with Gabby and Hillary Lindsey, and you can hear Miranda’s hand in it for sure!
Gabby will release her new album “Chapter and Verse” which comes out February 2nd.
I’m thinking that’s it’s going to be another big year for Country Music!
One of my favorite newer artists on the Country Music scene is Megan Moroney. A great singer/songwriter, she’s definitely been making some well-deserved waves in Nashville lately. This morning, she released a cover of Chris Stapleton’s “What Are You Listening To?” which she recently performed live, and it’s really, really good.
I absolutely love her smoky, alto voice, and her self-proclamed “Emo Cowgirl” vibe, and she’s teasing more new music in 2024.
Bring it, girl!
Also, she will be sharing the stage with Kenny Chesney on his Stadium Tour this Summer, alomg with The Zac Brown Band and Uncle Kracker, which is sure to up her profile even more.
Jelly Roll is on a roll (I got dad jokes today) and there’s no slowing it down.
He’s dominating Country, Rock, and now Top 40 Charts, and his next single to Country Radio “Halfway to Hell” has total #1 vibes to it.
Isn’t that catchy? It’s on his debut Country album “Whitsitt Chapel”, which has already spawned several #1 hits, including his last one “Save Me” which he shared vocals with Lainey Wilson.
Ya’ll, like it or not, Jelly Roll is just getting started.
Actor Jeremy Renner, who almost lost his life last year in a snow plow incident, is putting out an album called “Love and Titanium” which reflects on the lessons he learned, and what he went through in his year of recovery. And on the one-year anniversary of the accident which was earlier this week, he released the first single called “Wait”, and it is beautiful.
Yes, I’m crying.
It’s the human in me.
This song is inspired by his love for his 10-year old daughter Ava, and being a mother, it hits me right in the gut.
Also, Jeremy is quite the singer!
I had no idea.
Be on the lookout for the full project “Love and Titanium” later this year.
I know I post a lot of Kelly Clarkson covers on my blog, but the woman keeps bringing it!
Between live performances and her “Kellyoke” on “The Kelly Clarkson Show”, there’s always an impressive performance to enjoy by her.
Take her performance from her “Chemistry” Las Vegas Residency on New Years Eve- she covered my favorite song of 2023 “Used to Be Young” by Miley Cyrus, and of course, nailed it, especially at the end.
Dang, Kelly.
Also, she and her band didn’t even rehearse it. Just popped it out there and she definitely made it her own!
What I love about Kelly is that she is a real talent. Her voice is pure and perfect and she hit all the notes on any song- no auto tune needed!
Plus, she seems like a real human being with an actual personality that isn’t forced upon her by some record label.
And can we all talk about how fantatstic she looks?
I have a feeling Kelly is going to make 2024 her best year yet.
Elle King was one of the performers at the “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” on CBS last night, as well as one of the hosts, and she’s already trending in 2024 due to her performance of “Drunk and I Don’t Wanna Go Home”.
I mean, it’s life imitating art.
Ok, I do love Elle King as an artist, and she seems super fun. The internet is giving her all kinds of hell this morning, but I’m on #teamelle.
It was New Year’s Eve, and she had to much to drink.
Was it the most professional performance? Nah. But did she fall off the stage? Soil herself? Drop F- bombs?
Maybe I’m just sympathetic as I’ve had my share of drunken performances in cover bands in my early twenties. Of course, those were at little bars in the Memphis area, and not on a national televised stage, but still… it happens.
At least she remembered the lyrics and song structure.
Also, this song is originally a duet with Miranda Lambert, so maybe that’s also part of the problem. It needs Miranda on it to make it really pop.
Either way, I don’t see the big issue, as long as she doesn’t make a habit of drunken performances.
It was New Year’s Eve, she was singing a drinking song… let it go.
2023 was a pretty solid year music-wise, and as I do every year, I like to compile a list of what I really loved from the past twelve months.
It’s not based on any particular merit, or me trying to be hip and pleasing people. When it comes to music, for me, it’s what makes ME happy.
I couldn’t really care less about an artists political affilations, or what’s controversial at the moment. I feel like people like to pick everything apart and take the joy out of things. I try to not do that, and enjoy a song for what it is.
Here’s my “Top Picks” for 2023:
#12- Olivia Rodrigo “Vampire”:
Olivia is such a fresh talent, and her latest album “Guts” proved that she is here to stay. The lead single “Vampire” is catchy, creative, and relateable as hell.
“You called them crazy, God, I hate the way I called them crazy, too”
What woman hasn’t been in that position?
I’m really excited to see how Olivia develops as an artist in the next few years. She’s got it all. Talent, musicianship, songwriting abilites, personality and looks.
She’s like a darker Taylor Swift, and I’m all for it.
#11:Staind “Here and Now”:
“You, you always said
That I’m better when I’m not trapped in my head”
What a great opening lyric, and it really spoke to me.
Staind made another comeback this year, and they still have the same sound and great lyrics that perfectly encompass relaionships. It’s kind of like a sequel to their 2005 hit “Right Here” which I’ve always loved as well.
A lot of rock bands from my high school/college era are still going strong, making new music, and gearing up for tours in the new year, which I am totally loving. Nostalgia mixed with some great new offerings… Green Day, Blink 182, Red Hot Chili Peppers… the list goes on.
Keep it coming!
#10- Hailey Whitters “Everything She Ain’t”:
Hailey Whitters had a breakout year with her hit single “Everything She Ain’t”- ALL the sass with this one.
She’s basically Miranda Lambert 2.0, with an extra dose of honey and whiskey.
The female force in Country Music is strong. Let’s keep that train a rolling, ladies!
#9-Chris Stapleton “White Horse”:
Chris Stapelton can do no wrong in my eyes. Dude is a future legend. And he dropped his new album “Higher” last month, and the lead single “White Horse” is the perfect mix of Rock and Country with a smidge of Blues thrown in. Chris is a genre unto himself.
#8-Taylor Swift “Cruel Summer”:
What a freaking year Taylor had! I mean, all of her years are big, but she made 2023 her bitch. Now, I will be honest, I don’t love all of her music. I think she’s incredibly talented and brilliant, but I wouldn’t say I celebrate her entire catalogue. That being said, I love what she’s doing- and she’s at the top without selling herself short or, you know, making a sex tape or having public meltdowns. She is proof that you can do it ALL- and will go down as one of the greats of all time.
Roll your eyes, complain about her… as Taylor says, “Haters gonna hate, hate, hate”.
You don’t have to be a fan of her music to be a fan of her.
Also, this song- even through it came out several years ago, became a massive hit this year- is catchy as hell.
“I’m drunk in the back of the car And I cried like a baby coming home from the bar (oh) Said, “I’m fine, ” but it wasn’t true I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you”
Been there.
#7-Jelly Roll feat. Lainey Wilson “Save Me”:
Another artist who had a stellar year was Jelly Roll. Rock, Country and Top 40 all had him topping charts, and he’s another artist deying genre lines. I don’t think there’s a damn thing wrong with it. I know some traditionalists snarl and say “that ain’t Country”, but I beg to differ. If Country music never evolved, and stayed as it was in the Hank Williams days, people would complain about that, too.
Music has to evolve. It always has, and always will.
And this song by Jelly Roll with the addition of the badassery that is Lainey Wilson is really, really good. Thankfully, I don’t releate to the song (at least, not yet. I don’t want to speak too soon!) but I love the meaning, and know that many do feel this way. I know Jelly Roll himself had been in that position at one point, and has managed to make a massive turnaround in his life. The guy really is an inspiration – look up his story if you haven’t yet.
And Lainey’s vocals at the end are CHILLLLLLLS.
#6-HARDY “JACK”:
Hot damn, HARDY.
HARDY is another artist who rides the lines of Country and Rock. He’s had mega-hits on Country radio, both as an artist and a songwriter, and his song “JACK” was #1 on Mainstream Rock this year. I absolutely love this song- the lyrics, the music, and anyone who has had a tangle with Jack Daniels (which I’ve had a few in my early twenties) kniws this song is truth.
This is why I stick to wine.
HARDY, like Chris Stapleton and Jelly Roll, is proving once again that Country and Rock go together extremely well.
I consider myself a Country/Rock hybrid with a sprinkle of Pop mixed in (just as a human) so obviously I’m down with this trend.
#5- Teddy Swims “Lose Control”:
Teddy Swims showed UP this year. His breakout single “Lose Control” made me stop in my tracks when I first heard it. I was like, “who is THAT???”
Definitely one of my favorite new artists of the year!
That voice is just sick. In the best possible way.
You know what needs to happen?
A Teddy Swims/Chris Stapleton duet,
Yesssssssssss…
#4-Lainey Wilson “Wildflowers and Wild Horses”:
Lainey Wilson is another artist who had a massive 2023. She was EVERYWHERE. As she should be.
And her latest single “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” is easily my favorite of hers so far.
“I’m four-fifths of reckless and one-fifth of jack I push like a daisy through old sidewalk cracks Yeah, my kinda crazy’s still running its courses with Wildflowers and wild horses”
HELL. YES.
Although, I’m a bottle of Yellow Tail merlot instead of Jack, but close enough.
#3- Kelsea Ballerini “If You Go Down”:
This is SUCH a fun song, and it reminds me of me and my best friend Erica and all of our shennanigans over our 30 year friendship.
Kelsea is really coming into her own as an artist and songwriter, and has put out some really good stuff post-divorce. (Isn’t that how it always goes? Silver lining, I guess.)
#2- Cody Johnson “The Painter”:
Cody Johnson is here to save Country Music.
His latest album- a double album called “Leather”- came out this Fall, and the lead single “The Painter” is a perfect Country love song.
“I don’t remember Life before she came into the picture Brought the beauty I was missin’ with her Showed me colors I ain’t never seen She took chances With every wall I built, she saw a canvas I thank God every day for how He made her My life was black and white but she’s the painter”
What a beautifully written chorus.
#1- Miley Cyrus “Used to Be Young”:
Miley Cyrus has come a long way- both as an artist and a person- and her music has been pure pop perfection lately.
I know “Flowers” was her big hit this year, but I personally love her latest single “Used to Be Young”.
As someone who had way too much fun in her early twenties (hey, had to get it out of my system!), this song resonated with me big time.
Was I wild and crazy? Hell yeah.
Maybe not to Miley Cyrus’s level, but still.
But it was fun, and embarrassing and ridiculous and beautiful and everything in between.
Isn’t that what youth is for?
All I know is that I had a good time, and now at 40, my idea of a good time is bed by 9:30 after a glass of wine and some pork chops.
I get excited over crock pots and Dysons.
It happens, kiddos.
There is a season for everything. Enjoy each one to the fullest.
Now that I dropped a middle-age wisdom bomb on you, I want to know what was YOUR favorite song of 2023?
One of the biggest acts in Country music right now is Luke Combs, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. He’s continuously putting out great music, while being an awesome human and relateable as hell.
Luke just post a clip of him performing an acoustic version of an unreleased song called “Plant a Seed” and I’m betting it’ll be a future hit single.
He explained how this song came to be on his latest instagram post: “Got sent this song a while back from @wyattmccubbin that he wrote with @bigrobsnyder and @jeffhydemusic. Last night it was in my head and I couldn’t sleep so I got up and messed around with it for a few hours. Been singing it to myself all morning and as I watched the boys while Nicole got a shower in I recorded this. Hope y’all like it and sorry for all the dad songs but that’s where I’m at these days and I couldn’t be happier about it. A lot more songs to come soon.”
As a momma, I absolutely love it, and I can’t wait to watch my own seed I planted to continue to grow. Having a son is my absolute greatest joy in life.
As for Luke Combs, he is gearing up for a big 2024 with a ton of stadium tour dates… and apparantly a lot of new music, too.
After a few years apart due to personal issues, Ann and Nancy Wilson seem to have worked out their familial differences, and are ready to rock into 2024.
Their first performance together in a few years happened earlier this week in Highland, California at the Yaamava Casino, and they killed it.
Ann Wilson is 73, and Nancy Wilson is 69.
Let that sink in.
Also, how badass in Nancy’s outfit? I’d totally wear that.
Seriously, these women are amazing, and they will be on the road in 2024 with Def Leppard, Journey, Cheap Trick and The Steve Miller Band.
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