Unless you’ve been under a rock or something, you’re probably aware that Morgan Wallen’s new album “I’m the Problem” dropped today.
It’s huge, too. 37 songs… lots of collabs, of course, but I have to say my favorite so far?
One of the few actually Country songs on the album.
It’s Morgan and his friend and frequent collaborator ERNEST with “The Dealer”:
I like that a lot… kind of a new spin on Kenny Roger’s classic “The Gambler”.
Now, I haven’t had time to listen to the full album yet, as I have a job and a life and stuff… and 37 songs is a bit excessive in my opinion. But so far, it’s a lot of pop-leaning Country (no surprise there) and a really terrible song called “Miami” which is inspired by the late, great Keith Whitley’s “Miami, My Amy” that noone asked for.
Still, the album does have some big hits and solid songs on it, and with 37 songs, it’s hard for them all to be bangers.
And, let’s be real, it’ll be the biggest selling album of the year.
So, clearly, Morgan and his people know what they’re doing.
Get info on the album and the upcoming “I’m the Problem” stadium tour at http://Morganwallen.com
ERNEST has teamed up with one of my favorite artists Miranda Lambert for a collab that is Country to the core.
Sadly, you can’t say that about a lot of Country music these days, but this you can.
The song is called “Another Thing to Love” and, yes, I do love it:
Really, though, you can’t go wrong with Miranda involves, am I right?
Also, ERNEST is one of the hottest up-and-comers in the industry, and has several hits under his belt with collabs like “Flower Shops” and “Cowgirls”, both with Morgan Wallen, and his songwriting game is strong.
Yeah, you’ll be hearing from him for a while, which is a good thing.
Check out his latest release “Cadillac Sessions” out now, and get info, tour dates, etc. at ernestoffical.com
One of my favorite newer Country artists on the scene ERNEST has teamed up with legend that is Snoop Dogg for a fun tune called “Gettin’ Gone”, and it’s so going to be on my Summer playlist:
How cool is that? Perfect Summer road trip song.
Honestly, a little dash of Snoop Dogg makes everything more fun…
If you’re not familiar with the awesomeness that is ERNEST, educate yourself at https://ernestofficial.com/ and be on the lookout for his next project “The Cadillac Sessions” on May 9th.
One of my favorite newer Country artists- Ernest- dropped a rendition of the legendary Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make it Through the Night” on instagram, and it’s pretty much perfection:
I feel like “Damn” is the only appropriate word right now.
In case you’re really behind on what’s hot on the Country Music scene, Ernest is one of the best up-and-coming artists on the scene, and he runs around with Morgan Wallen and HARDY, so you know he’s in the right crowd if you want to be a hitmaker.
But also, he’s just a really nice guy, as evidenced by our interview below:
Morgan Wallen just dropped a new single called “Smile”, and I think it may be one of my favorites of his.
Written by Morgan, Ernest, Rocky Block, John Byron, Ryan Vojtezak and Luis Witkiewitz, I have a feeling this will be another #1 hit.
Because, like it or not, that’s all Morgan Wallen seems capable of producing these days.
Damn.
What I like about this song- aside from the sound and subject matter- is that it really shows of what a good vocalist Morgan is, which can sometimes be hidden with other hits like “Last Night” and “I Had Some Help”.
This definitely bodes well for more solid stuff in 2025.
And now this will be in my head all day, which isn’ a bad thing.
One of my favorite newer artists in Country Music is singer/songwriter ERNEST who has had a couple of #1 hits with Morgan Wallen- “Flower Shops” and “Cowgirls”- and both are well-deserving of the top spot.
A few months ago, ERNEST released a stellar song with Lainey Wilson called “Would if I Could”, and in case you missed it, here’s their collab:
Such a great song, with the true 90’s Country vibe that I have always loved. Welll… ERNEST just released a solo version of “Would if I Could”, and I think it’s even better than the duet:
Damn. That is totally giving Tracy Lawrence. I love it!!!
Which version do you like better?
Also, kudos to Dean Dillon and Skip Ewing II for writing a true Country song.
Country singer ERNEST released a pretty solid album last Friday called “Nashville, TN”, and it’s got several big collabs on there, including ones with Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, and this interesting cover with HARDY.
They were brave enough to cover the Radiohead Classic “Creep”- check it out below:
Hmmmm… I’m kind of on the fence with this one. I absolutely LOVE the original version, and it’s kind of hard to beat that. But hey, solid effort for sure.
Honestly, my favorite cover of “Creep” will always be Post Modern Jukebox’s version featuring “Amercian Idol” finalist Hailey Reinhart:
Damnnnn… never gets old.
I mean, how sexy is that? Her voice is absoutely out of this world.
One of my favorite up-and-coming artists in Nahville is ERNEST.
He is incredibly talented as a singer and songwriter, and is funny as Hell.
Yesterday, he dropped a new album called “Nashville, TN’ which has 26 tracks, and a boatload of collabs with everyone from Morgan Wallen to HARDY to Lainey Wilson.
And let me tell you, the track with Lainey on it, called “I Woud if I Could” is what 90’s Country Dreams are made of:
How perfect is that? It sounds like it would have totally fit in on Country Radio in 1994, and that’s a beautiful thing.
I really hope Countey Music keeps trending in this direction. We have some really great artists in Nashville right now, and they are doing the damn thing!
Also, last year, I got a chance to chat with ERNEST and he’s the best:
2022…another totally bizarre year. But what’s great about music is that it’s always being made, and it can put a bright spot into even the stupidest day.
How’s that forbeing profound?
Anyway, here are my picks for the Top Songs of 2022… in my humble opinion, of course.
A reminder, I love ALL genres. Equal opportunity listener right here!
HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson “Wait in the Truck”
HARDY is quickly proving himself as one of the hottest songwriters on the Country Music scene, and songs like this is why. Plus, he got Lainey Wilson- one of my fav new artists on it, so 1,000,000 bonus points on that.
His new album drops January 27th, and I can’t wait to hear what he’s got for us!
Mammoth WVH “Epiphany”
Wolfgang Van Halen is continuing to make his daddy proud. I think this one may be my favorite of the band’s so far.
Beyonce “Cuff It”
I loved Beyonce in Destiny’s Child and her first few years as a solo artist, but then she kind of lost me for a few years. Now she’s back with some fantastic dance songs on her latest album “Renaissance”, and “Cuff It”, although not lyrically a masterpiece, I can’t help but sing and dance really badly to it, so I’d say it’s a win.
Boomtown Saints “All Trucks Go to Heaven”
I’m calling Boomtown Saints the artists to watch in 2023. I connected with these guys a few years ago, and it’s been so cool to see them evolve and start making some serious headway in the industry. Ben and Chris are some of the nicest, most deserving guys, and I’m so happy for them both!
Be on the listen for them, and check out my interview with them here:
Like it or not, Morgan Wallen is freaking SLAYING the music industry right now, and you know what? Good for him. He got completely cancelled and given a second chance and I’m here for it. I could totally go on a soapbox, but I’ll refrain just now. Anyway, he helped spotlight another great artist ERNEST with this song “Flower Shops”. I loved it the first time I heard it, and it makes me so happy to hear that this sound is trending in Country again.
Thank GOD>
Also, I got a chance to chat with ERNEST earlier this year, and he’s hilarious! Check the interview here:
Meghan Trainor is BACK and I have been singing this song nonstop the past couple of months. Girl knows how to make an earworm!
Kacey Musgraves “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
Kacey Musgraves is life, and she gave a whole new life to this Elvis classic for the soundtrack to the Elvis movie this year.
I know a ton of artists have covered this song, but this is by far one of my favorite versions.
Ava Max “Million Dollar Baby”
I love the energy that Ava Max brings to Pop Radio, and her latest single “Million Dollar Baby” is giving major “Flashdance” vives, and I am here for it 1,000%
It makes me want to wear legwarmers and a leotard and burst into dance in the middle of a crowded street.
Maybe after a few glasses of wine that will happen.
You never know.
Papa Roach “No Apologies”
I’ve been a Papa Roach fan since the start, and this has been one of my favorite new Rock songs of the year. The sound is great, but most importantly, it’s the message. I think it’s a song a lot of people needed to hear.
Miranda Lambert “If I Was a Cowboy”
Ya’ll know I LOVE me some Miranda, and she did not dissapoint this year. He latest album “Palomino” is fantatstic, of course, and this single is perfection.
“If I was a Cowboy, I’d be the Queen”
Ya damn right.
Three Days Grace “Lifetime”
Ughhhh… this song gets me right in the feels. Just a reminder that nothing and noone lasts forever, so appreciate the heck out of them every. single. day.
Cody Johnson “Til’ You Can’t”
Cody Johnson broke into the mainstream hardcore with this song, and as he should. I’ve been loving his sound for years, so it was great to see him get all the airplay for this song, and a #1 hit to boot. So well deserved.
It’s another song that hits me in the feels, and also makes me hopeful for the future of Country music.
Ok, so those are the songs that spoke to me the most this year.
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”!
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