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country music

Toby Keith “Don’t Let the Old Man In”

Toby Keith has had a rough couple of years. He was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer, and has been undergoing treatments the past year.  He made an appearance at the Inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards last week, and he performed his new song “Don’t Let the Old Man In” and brought pretty much everyone who watched it to tears.

Oh, AND it’s #1 on the itunes Country chart this week. As it should be.

The song, which he wrote after having a conversation with Clint Eastwood while sharing a golf cart, is something I think everyone needs to hear:

Annnnddd… in case you missed it last week, here is his performance of the song at the Peoples’ Choice Country Awards:

Toby is a fantastic songwriter, and this song proves it once again.

My favorite lyric: “Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn’t know the day you were born”

Yeah, I would not be 40, that’s for sure. I think that’s a good thing.

My parents are 72. They are still crazy active and run a wedding venue (Cogan’s Farm- look it up!) and my Dad still works. They say all the activity – both physical and mental- keeps them young. I couldn’t agree more.

I wish Toby and his family all the best, and he’s doing all he can to keep the Old Man on the doorstep. As should we all.

Toby will be releasing an album called “100% Songwriter” via Mercury Records on November 3rd, which features his favorite songs that he has written.

He’s got so many great ones, and it looks like he shows no sign of stopping.

Good.

That being said, I will continue to take the song’s advice and “toast each sundown with wine”.

I can definitely get down with that.

Luke Combs “Where the Wild Things Are”

Luke Combs has announced his latest radio single, and it’s one of my favorites of his.

“Where the Wild Things Are” will be playing like crazy on Country radio soon, so be ready.

I’m totally not mad at it.

Isn’t that a cool song?

Written by Randy Montana and Dave Turnbull, it sounds like nothing on the radio just now.  A great mid-tempo beat and story to go with it.

So… yeah. You just heard Luke Combs 17th #1 hit.

That was an easy one to call!

Get more info on Luke’s music and tour dates at http://Lukecombs.com

 

Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood “Cry Myself to Sleep”

I am a big 90’s Country girl- after all, it’s what I grew up on. My small town of Henderson, TN only had one radio station, and it was Country (107.7!), so it was basically all I listened to for a while growing up.  Both Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood were radio staples, and I absolutely loved them. So, naturally, I was excited to hear that a tribute album to The Judds would be coming out this Fall. One of the re-imagined songs was just released, and it’s Wynonna and Trisha on one of my favorite Judds songs, “Cry Myself to Sleep”.

Yep, exactly what I had expected it to be.

Two incredible voices on a classic… you can’t go wrong with those two!

“A Tribute to The Judds” will feature more collabs with everyone from Carly Pearce to Reba to Jelly Roll to Cody Johnson.

Am I excited?

Ya damn skippy.

“A Tribute to The Judds” comes out October 27th.

Get more info: https://tasteofcountry.com/judds-tribute-album-track-list/

Was Kelsea Ballerini Lip-Synching?

The inaugural “People’s Choice Country” awards was this past Thursday night on NBC, and Kelsea Ballerini (who I love!) performed her song “Mountain With a View” live, and did a fantastic job. So much so, that some people thought she was lip-synching.

Ok, she sounded good. Reallly good. I can see why people think she was faking it. But if you listen closely, especially at the end, you can hear that she’s live and not pre-recorded. And Kelsea has since addressed the issue, saying that if she was lip-synching, it would have sounded way better. Also, she said that one of the cameras was off, and that happens often during live shows, espeically if it’s a show’s first time happening, like the People’s Choice Country Awards.

Seriously, I don’t know how she could have sounded better. She has really come into her own these past couple of years as an artist, and I really can’t wait to see where she goes.

Haters Gonna hate. That’s all.

Also, she looks incredible. I always feel like if Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift had a baby, it would be Kelsea.

Get more info on her music and upcoming tour dates at https://www.kelseaballerini.com/#!

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Instagram

Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen “Mamaw’s House”

Yesterday, Thomas Rhett released his Greatest Hits Collection “20 Number Ones”, and there was bonus song on there that’s been getting some attention. Thomas teamed up with Morgan Wallen for a song called “Mamaw’s House”, and anyone who grew up in the Country like I did can definitely releate to this one!

This song reminds me so much of my Mother-in-Law, who, of course, goes by Mamaw, and this song is 100% her.  The song was co-written by Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Matt Dragstream and Chase McGill.  As I mentioned, it’s included on Thomas’s “20 Number Ones” collection, out now.

Also, I just want to say how happy I am for Thomas Rhett and for all of his success. He’s a great guy, as is his entire family. I remember over a decade ago being at Country Stampede in Manhattan, KS and Thomas was one of the Thursday night openers, and I was backstage talking to his Grandad, who was crazy excited that Thomas was going to perform at a big Country festival like Stampede. He literally came up to me and was like, “You gotta watch my Grandson! I’m so proud of him!” I think this was in 2012…

Well, those Thursday night opening act days are far over for Thomas, as he’s now a headliner! Oh, and he now has his own Greatest Hits Collection. NBD.

Thomas Rhett’s ’20 Number Ones’; Photo Courtesy of The Valory Music Co.

Get more info on Thomas’s new release and tour dates at https://www.thomasrhett.com/#/

It’s going to be a big Fall for Country Music, and this is just the beginning.

 

Miranda Lambert “Carousel” Live

Miranda Lambert just released the live version of her song “Carousel” from her “Palomino” album, and it just reminded me once again why Miranda Lambert is one of the BEST.

The live version is from her performance at the ACM Awards from earlier this year.

I get chills every time I hear this song.
I remember seeing this live, and thinking that Miranda just gets better and better. Very few artists can sound perfect on the live stage, but she nails it every time.

I really hope this hits radio hard. It’s one of her best!

And if you haven’t checked out her latest album “Palomino”, you are missing out.

It’s glorious.

I can’t wait to see (and hear!) what the future holds for this Country treasure.

 

Chris Young “Young Love & Saturday Night”

I was saying last week that there’s been an influx of Classic Rock in Country Music lately, and Chris Young’s latest song is more proof to that statement.

The song is called “Young Love and Saturday Night”, and it heavily samples the guitar riff from David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel”:

Again, I don’t hate it. It’s catchy as hell, and the riff makes the song.

And a Chevrolet that doesn’t run, well, a truer lyric has never been written.

Also, Chris Young lost 60 lbs, and looks awesome! I’ve always liked him because looks-wise he reminds me of my husband.

Chris is on the road this Fall, and you can check his dates at https://www.chrisyoungcountry.com/

 

Shenandoah and Luke Combs “Two Dozen Roses”

This made my morning!

I heard that this collab was coming, and I was waiting…

I’m a HUGE 90’s Country girl, and have loved Shenandoah since I had first heard them in the early 90’s. And of course, I love Luke Combs (who doesn’t???). So, when I heard that the two artists were teaming up to remake Shenandoah’s classic “Two Dozen Roses”, I was ALL for it.

Here it is:

I mean, there’s no way that could have gone wrong.

I love that they kept the original sound, and just added Luke Comb’s fantastic vocals.

Alllll the yes right there.

Happy Friday!

 

Dustin Lynch Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen | Jelly Roll Photo Credit: Ashley Osborn

Dustin Lynch Feat. Jelly Roll “Chevrolet”

Jelly Roll is collabing with everyone and their Grandma these days.

Seriously, though, I’m not mad at it.

His latest collab is with Country singer Dustin Lynch, on a song called “Chevrolet”. It’s basically Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away”, but with a truck.

Catchy, and definitely something I can hear on Country Radio as a single. Bascially, easy tailgate listening.  That should be a Country sub-genre in itself, right?

To be fair, though, I prefer Fords to Chevys, unless it’s a Corvette. But to each their own.

Dustin Lynch’s new album “Killed The Cowboy” comes out September 29th.

 

Brothers Osbourne Feat. Miranda Lambert “We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up”

It’s been a big day for new music!

The Brothers Osbourne just released their self-titled fourth studio album, and on it, a collab with Miranda Lambert (who I love!) is on it.

It’s a song they co-wrote called “We Ain’t Good at Breaking Up”, and of course, it’s a jam.

I love the sound and groove of the song, and adding Miranda into anything is an instant win.

We’re just getting started on a big Fall season for Country music, so basically, start saving your money!

Here’s a list of all the new Country albums out today:

• Bigger HousesDan + Shay.  This is their fifth album.  Their “Heartbreak on the Map” tour kicks off in February, with Ben Rector and Hailey Whitters.

• Brothers OsborneBrothers Osborne.

 

• BluegrassWillie Nelson.  This is his 74th SOLO studio album, and 151st album.  It features bluegrass versions of 12 of his own classics.

 

• Side Effects of the HeartAlex Hall.  This is his debut album.  Brandy Clark joins him on the track, “Women and Horses”.

 

• Keep It RealTyler Booth.  This is a six-song EP.

 

• Country ChapelTravis Tritt.  It’s his first-ever gospel project.

 

• Work To DoWalker Montgomery.  This is a six-song EP.  He’s the son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Eddie Montgomery.

 

• Son Of DadStephen Wilson Jr.  This is his major label debut.  Hailey Whitters guests on the song “American Gothic”.

 

Yeah, and as I said, we’re just getting started.

Buckle up, Buttercup!