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Here Are The 2022 CMA Awards Winners (Full List)

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Here is the full list of 2022 winners of the 56th annual CMA Awards (2022)…

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2022 CMA AWARDS WINNERS:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
  • Luke Combs *** WINNER
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Morgan Wallen
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer  
  • “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
    Producer: Paul DiGiovanni
    Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
  • “half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini (feat. Kenny Chesney)
    Producers: Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins
    Mix Engineer: Dan Grech-Marguerat
  • “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
    Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
    Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
  • “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson
    Producer: Trent Willmon
    Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke *** WINNER
  • “You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton
    Producers: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton
    Mix Engineer: Vance Powell
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s) 
  • Growin’ Up – Luke Combs
    Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton
    Mix Engineers: Jim Cooley, Chip Matthews *** WINNER
  • Humble Quest – Maren Morris
    Producer: Greg Kurstin
    Mix Engineer: Serban Ghenea
  • Palomino – Miranda Lambert
    Producers: Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Mikey Reaves
    Mix Engineer: Jason Lehning
  • Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ – Lainey Wilson
    Producer: Jay Joyce
    Mix Engineer: F. Reid Shippen
  • Time, Tequila & Therapy – Old Dominion
    Producers: Shane McAnally, Old Dominion
    Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
SONG OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Songwriter(s) 
  • “Buy Dirt”
    Songwriters: Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins  ***WINNER
  • “Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
    Songwriters: Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce
  • “Sand In My Boots”
    Songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Josh Osborne
  • “Things A Man Oughta Know”
    Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson
  • “You Should Probably Leave”
    Songwriters: Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Chris Stapleton
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Ashley McBryde
  • Carly Pearce
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Lainey Wilson *** WINNER
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
  • Eric Church
  • Luke Combs
  • Cody Johnson
  • Chris Stapleton *** WINNER
  • Morgan Wallen
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
  • Lady A
  • Little Big Town
  • Midland
  • Old Dominion *** WINNER
  • Zac Brown Band
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Brothers Osborne *** WINNER
  • Dan + Shay
  • LOCASH
  • Maddie & Tae
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Producer(s)
  • “Beers On Me” – Dierks Bentley with BRELAND & HARDY
    Producers: Dierks Bentley, Ross Copperman
  • “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood
    Producer: Michael Knox
  • “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
    Producers: Dann Huff, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
  • “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
    Producer: Zach Crowell
  • “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
    Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne *** WINNER
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
  • Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle *** WINNER
  • Paul Franklin, Steel guitar
  • Brent Mason, Guitar
  • Ilya Toshinskiy, Banjo
  • Derek Wells, Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)  
  • “I Bet You Think About Me” (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) – Taylor Swift (featuring Chris Stapleton)
    Director: Blake Lively
  • “Longneck Way To Go” – Midland (featuring Jon Pardi)
    Director: Harper Smith
  • “Never Say Never” – Cole Swindell (with Lainey Wilson)
    Director: Michael Monaco
  • “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde
    Director: Alexa Campbell
  • “’Til You Can’t” – Cody Johnson
    Director: Dustin Haney *** WINNER
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
  • HARDY
  • Walker Hayes
  • Cody Johnson
  • Parker McCollum
  • Lainey Wilson *** WINNER

 

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.

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Who Is Clayton Anderson? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

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Who is Clayton Anderson? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about his journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

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Clayton Anderson // Photo by Hannah Fink

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Clayton Anderson
Birthdate – July 6th
Hometown – Bedford, Indiana
Current City – Nashville, Tennesee
Musical Influences – John Mellencamp, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Johnny Cash
Label – Visionary Media Group
Current Single – “Let Me Go” (*as of date of article: 11/7/22)

The Beginning:

Today we are highlighting an incredible singer-songwriter, Clayton Anderson. While we often share new artists in this segment, Anderson is a name you might already recognize. The talented singer-songwriter has been hustling in the country music genre for years, and it is well-deserved.

Anderson grew up in Bedford, Indiana, a blue-collar town that instilled in him the value of hard work. While he had dreams of becoming a basketball player, the singer admits that music was a mainstay. “I discovered music through my parents, though they didn’t play instruments, but music was always on in our house,” began the singer. “Whether it was my mom listening to Elvis Presley or my dad listening to KISS and Aerosmith, and my grandma listening to Conway Twitty, music was always around growing up.”

Anderson especially loved country music. “I listened to everything growing up. […] We had all different kinds of radio stations in our areas, but I always loved Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, all those older guys,” shared the singer. “I also loved Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and Garth Brooks just as much and loved John Mellencamp, he was always the God of music to us growing up.”

Despite early access to all different types of music, Anderson did not show interest in learning an instrument until he was a little bit older. “I didn’t really even pick up a guitar until my senior year of high school and I just fell in love with it. I was hooked,” shared the artist. “I caught the bug for it, and after that, there was no looking back.”

The Turning Point:

With a love of music in tow, Anderson headed off to college. “I kept doing worse in school and staying up late playing music,” the singer shared with a laugh. While he recalls playing music with his roommate, it was always just for fun, until one night, in particular, changed things for him.

“One thing led to another and someone ended up canceling a gig in our town and they had no one else to call. […] It was the busiest bar night of the year and they got stuck with me and I played the same seven songs over and over, but that first live performance was when I was truly hooked,” shared Anderson.

This was the moment that the singer started to consider making music for a living. While playing covers at bars were fun, he knew he wanted to be an artist, so he began writing songs on his own, little by little cultivating a new muscle.

“I really was like I need to be an artist, I need to write my own songs, I need to be my own thing. […] I want to give people something to believe in, to want to follow me, so instead of studying, I started writing down silly songs,” shared Anderson, adding later, “The more you put into your craft, the more you get out of it. I look back at some of those first songs and I chuckle and laugh, but a couple of them are still some of my favorites. […] To see the progression to now is still pretty cool.”

In 2011, the singer finally took the plunge and headed to Music City. “I finally just said I have to go to Nashville and see if I could make it.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Anderson has three full-length albums to his name. “I’ve been working on it for a long time. It’s not some overnight success and it’s been a total grind, and I’ve had so many no’s that I just kept fighting through because luckily I’ve built such a fanbase, that was my yes. When I go play somewhere, and people are singing the words back to me, that’s what I needed to keep pushing on,” shared the singer-songwriter.

Most recently, Anderson released his album Made In The USA. The twelve-song project is the most personal project to date for the singer, featuring songs about heartbreak, love, our country, and his journey over the last several years. “The songs just seem to fit together. When you’re putting an album together, I still like to have a common thread between all the songs,” shared the singer. Adding, “to me, this is the deepest I’ve ever gone in my songwriting.”

On “Is It Too Late,” Anderson grapples with the fears and struggles associated with chasing a dream, while the title track is a true love letter to the American Flag and its people. “We can rally around each other. Rally around our flag. We’re all Americans. No matter where we come from and I just have so much respect for the men and women who serve our country here and overseas, and I just wanted to have a more positive light about it.”

Fans can catch Anderson playing these songs and many more at his next live show. Check-out his full schedule here.

Connect:

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future  Clayton Anderson releases.

To keep up with Clayton Anderson, follow him on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Clayton Anderson’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Ingrid Andress & Sam Hunt Go Number One with “Wishful Drinking”

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Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt score a joint number one single at country radio with their song, “Wishful Drinking.” Learn more here.

Last year when Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt delighted fans with a new collaboration, we knew “Wishful Drinking” was something special. The sad-bop highlights the incredible vocal abilities from Andress, while Hunt’s signature sound shines through. “Wishful Drinking” marks the songstress’ first number one single at country radio and Hunt’s tenth!

The mid-tempo song is a masterful word-play track. “Wishful Drinking” depicts the feelings we all go through when we start drinking, thinking maybe things can work with someone you love. The two entertainers trade verses while maintaining some killer harmonies in the chorus.

“Maybe I’m just wishful drinking // Give my heart something to sink in // Better make it two, nothing I won’t do for another round of me and you // I get hopeful whеn I’m tipsy // Thinking you might actually miss me // It’s 100 proof, nothing I won’t do for another round of me and you”

While Andress and Hunt might have been an unpredictable pair, “Wishful Drinking” undeniably works. Clearly, country fans and country radio agree too! It will be interesting to see what is next for each artist respectively. Congrats to Andress and Hunt’s teams on an incredible feat!

Join our Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt announcements and releases.

To keep up with Ingrid Andress, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

To keep up with Sam Hunt follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Wishful Drinking” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

5 Artists That Are Future Entertainer of the Year Winners

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Country music is home to many incredible singer-songwriters and superstars. Artists like Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Eric Church, and more have taken home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award at country music award shows like CMA Awards and ACM Awards. Over the years, Country Swag has confidently predicted future winners and Artists to Watch long before their nominations. As Awards season approaches, we thought it would be fun to share five artists that we believe are future entertainer of the year winners. Check out our list below.

  1. Russell Dickerson

It has been evident since day one that Russell Dickerson is an absolute superstar. He finds a way to connect with fans through his music, making everyone want to root for his success. In his young career, Dickerson has broken records, as his singles consecutively find their way to the top of the radio charts. “Love You Like I Used To” is even tied officially with Lonestar’s “Amazed” as the longest-running top-ten single in radio history. It is only a matter of time until he is nominated for the coveted award!

To keep up with Russell Dickerson, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

  1. Morgan Wallen

Morgan Wallen was primed for superstardom back in his “The Way I Talk” days. While his career has been turbulent at times, his stardom has not wavered. After a widely successful tour and a record-breaking sophomore album, it appears that Wallen is closer than ever to the Entertainer of the Year award. He even finds himself with a nomination this year! Will he take it home? Tune in to the CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 9 at 8/7c on ABC.

To keep up with Morgan Wallen, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

  1. Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson is an absolute force in country music right now! Her brand new album, Bell Bottom Country is already one of the most talked about records of the year. In her young career, she has already garnered an impressive crew of diehard fans, an army of songwriters and artists who believe in her, and an incredible future. We believe, she will be up for Entertainer of the Year sooner rather than later!

To keep up with Lainey Wilson, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

  1. Conner Smith

When Thomas Rhett tells you he believes in someone then you know they are worth paying attention to! Conner Smith is that person and after meeting him back in 2021 for our NYC Live Sessions, we were quickly belivers ourselves. At just 22 years old, Smith is quickly building a fanbase that is obsessed with everything he puts out. He is a songwriter wise beyond his years, has undeniable charisma, a stage presence worthy of  EOY noms, and his songs are the right mix of catchy and prolific. Give it some time and everyone will know who Conner Smith is!

To keep up with Conner Smith, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

 

  1. HARDY

Already one of the best songwriters in country music, HARDY is on the brink of superstardom. He can truly do no wrong! HARDY carves a space for himself everywhere he goes. His signature country-rock sound is resonating with fans across the world, and his live show is like no other. Mark our words, HARDY will be an Entertainer of the Year winner in the umping years.

To keep up with HARDY, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

What do you think of our picks? Who do you see as a future Entertainer of the Year? Tweet us @CountrySwag and let us know!

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Nelly Collaborates with Chris Lane on New Song “Birthday Girl”

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Nelly collaborates with Chris Lane on new song, “Birthday Girl” out now, November 4th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new track below.

While Nelly has his feet firmly planted in the hip-hop genre, he has been known to collaborate with country artists, even releasing a country-inspired album last year. A true icon of his time, today, Nelly collaborates with Chris Lane on a brand new song, “Birthday Girl.”

According to Lane in a recent press release, “Working with Nelly is a full circle moment for me. I grew up a huge fan of his music and I have enjoyed getting to know him through touring together. Doing this song is the icing on the cake!” Perfectly put, “Birthday Girl” is a celebratory song all about birthdays!

On the new track, Nelly delivers a female-power anthem, inviting all girls to let their hair down and have a good time celebrating their own birthdays. The new song is a true gift to fans, as Nelly celebrated his own November birthday earlier this month. The genre-bending tune features the rhythmic tempo we have learned to anticipate from a classic Nelly hit, while Lane’s vocals add a touch of country to the fun-loving jam.

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Nelly and Chris Lane collaborate on new song, “Birthday Girl.”

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Nelly and Chris Lane releases.

To keep up with Nelly, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

To keep up with Chris Lane, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Birthday Girl” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Here is Madeline Edwards New Album ‘Crashlanded’

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Madeline Edwards’ new debut album, Crashlanded is out now, November 4th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the full album below.

Singer-songwriter, Madeline Edwards is officially making her major-label debut with Warner Music Nashville with her brand new album, Crashlanded. The twelve-song project is a cool, pop-country record, featuring songs for everyone.

“I’m very excited for everyone to hear the stories, the musical influences, the time and the experience that has brought me to this moment. Crashlanded feels like my child,” shared Edwards in a recent press release. “I’m very excited for this new venture with Warner and having a partner coming alongside that respects and sees my vision for the music. We’re about to go to the moon and it feels surreal.”

Songs like the title track, “Crashlanded” will have you rooting for Edwards from the get go! Other songs like, “Why I’m Calling” and “Too Much Of A Good Thing” give you a new perspective on the songstress and her undeniable talent.

Listen to the brand new album below!

Madeline Edwards – Crashlanded Track List:

  1. Crashlanded
  2. Spurs
  3. Mama, Dolly, Jesus
  4. The Biggest Wheel
  5. Forehead Kisses
  6. The Wolves
  7. How Strong I Am
  8. Hold My Horses
  9. Playground
  10. Heavy
  11. Why I’m Calling
  12. Too Much Of A Good Thing

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Crashlanded”
  2. “Too Much Of A Good Thing”
  3. “Mama, Dolly, Jesus”
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Madeline Edwards’ major-label debut, ‘Crashlanded’ is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Madeline Edwards releases.

To keep up with Madeline Edwards, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Crashlanded is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Leslie Jordan, Blanco Brown, and LOCASH: “Let It Slide”

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Leslie Jordan, Blanco Brown, and LOCASH collaborate on Leslie Jordan’s song idea, “Let It Slide,” out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand-new collaboration below.

The world was devastated to hear about the passing of beloved talent and personality, Leslie Jordan nearly two weeks ago at the young age of 67. Known for his roles on screen and stage including “Will & Grace,” “The Cool Kids”, “American Horror Story,” and “Sordid Lives,” among others, he was just beginning his career as a singer, releasing a country/gospel album last year titled “Company’s Comin’” featuring artists such as Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, and Brandi Carlile. Today, we celebrate the release of his new track, his last gift to fans, “Let It Slide” with LOCASH and Blanco Brown.

Move over “Cha-Cha Slide.” This fun, pop-country tune is all about throwing your worries away and enjoying the moment. Lyrically, it’s simple and silly, and its funky rhythm mixed with the artist’s banter in between verses makes an amusing song perfect for a night at a honky-tonk.

“Let it slide to the left, slide to the right // Let it roll right off of your back, to your backside, get electrified // Let it roll right into your hips, shake it off like a Polaroid pic // Let it slide, slide, slippety slide // Kiss your blues bye-bye”

This song is right up Brown’s alley, who initially gained publicity with his 2019 hit, “The Git-Up.” This track fits LOCASH’s persona as well, known for tailgate hits such as “One Big Country Song” and “I Love This Life.”

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Leslie Jordan, Blanco Brown and LOCASH’s, “Let It Slide” is officially out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Blanco Brown and LOCASH releases.

To keep up with Blanco Brown, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

To keep up with LOCASH follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Let It Slide” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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Russell Dickerson – Album Review

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Russell Dickerson’s new self-titled album is out now, November 4th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

Since the 2017 release of his wedding-ready single “Yours,” Russell Dickerson has been one of country music’s most buzzed-about new stars. Today, the singer-songwriter releases his third full-length album, a self-titled collection of radio-ready jams and romantic ballads that further cement his status as one of the genre’s future superstars.

Known for his electric and energetic live shows, the Triple Tigers Recording artist continues to reveal his talents on his self-titled album. “No matter how far we get into this, I want people to know it’s still me,”  Dickerson says in a statement. “I’m still the hyper, outgoing, fun-loving, crazy dude on stage. But also these songs are so meaningful to me. It’s not all hype and smoke and lights. I am a songwriter, I trust my instincts, and now my instincts are telling me to share 100 percent me, and creatively just let it flow.”

In his dedication to staying true to himself, the Tennessee native co-penned and co-produced each of the album’s fifteen tracks, enlisting a slew of Nashville heavy-hitters, including Josh Kerr, Ashley Gorley, Lori McKenna, Parker Welling, and Zach Crowell to join him.

On the project, Dickerson weaves his way through a well-crafted mix of romantic tracks, odes to nostalgia, and a few tried and true party anthems. He dabbles with hints of different genres, but stays true to the country-pop sounds that have endeared him to a legion of fans. Although he can do it all, the effusive talent shines especially bright on the driving and anthemic country-heavy mid-tempos that pepper the album. Songs like “I Wonder,” “God Gave Me a Girl,” and “Blame It On Being Young” are immediate standouts, each allowing him to stretch his vocal chops over building tracks that are stadium-show-ready.

On “God Gave Me a Girl,” his lyrics are at the forefront, cleverly building the phrases atop each other, proclaiming, “God gave me a girl // Girl gave me a kiss // Kiss gave me a feeling that I still get // Every time I look in her eyes…God gave me a girl // At just the right time // And I gave her the world // But she changed mine.”

While “God Gave Me a Girl,” is about true love found, both “I Remember” and “I Wonder” have him pondering the what-ifs of a lost love. On “I Wonder,” he ponders if he’ll regret losing someone forever, while “I Remember” has him nostalgic for young love and college days, forever treasuring the moments of being “young, dumb, wild, and free.”

Nostalgia is a theme that weaves its way through the album, celebrating the good ol’ days on “Blame It On Being Young,” “Drink to This,” “All the Same Friends,” “Beers to the Summer,” and “18.” While “Beers to the Summer” has hints of early Kenny Chesney, “18” is tinged with 80’s pop that has Dickerson longing to have known his wife as a teenager, musing that “I could’ve been your perfect // Perfect first kiss // Wishing that I could’ve kept you out all night // The problem with forever is it ain’t long enough // I wish that I could go back and we’d fall in love // Back when we were 18.”

On “I Still Believe,” Dickerson is a dreamer with small-town country values, as he proclaims his beliefs on the building anthem.

“The best beer is cold // The best friends are old // The best songs go ‘oh-oh-oh’ //  The best girl is mine // The best night’s tonight // With that sky dripping gold // There’s more good than bad // And rich don’t mean cash // Yeah I still believe// I believe, I believe in that.”

Dickerson’s love for his wife is another prevalent theme throughout his album, his romantic side is on display on songs like “Sorry,” “Over and Over,” “She Likes It” with Jake Scott, and “She’s Why.” While “Sorry” is a tongue-in-cheek uptempo that finds the star unable to keep his hands off the woman he loves, “She Likes It” is an R&B-tinted reminder that the attraction goes both ways.

The album ends with the sparse and incredibly moving “Just Like Your Mama,” a song dedicated to Dickerson’s young son, Remington, which even features a special appearance by the adorable toddler. “Just like your mama // No bull and no drama // You’ll know who you are // And you’ll know who you aint,” He sings of the boy who takes after his self-proclaimed better half. “You’ll stand on what you believe // Golden heart on your sleeve // You won’t let this world take your shine away // In the mirror, might look just like me // Baby boy, I can already see // You’re better than my wildest dreams, just like your mama.”

On his self-titled album, Russell Dickerson continues to shine as one of Nashville’s most talented singer-songwriters, stretching himself lyrically, musically, and vocally, while remaining abundantly true to himself.

Russell Dickerson – Self-titled Album Track List:

  1. Blame It On Being Young (Russell Dickerson, Josh Kerr, Parker Welling)
  2. Sorry (Russell Dickerson, Hunter Phelps, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson)
  3. She Likes It Feat. Jake Scott (Russell Dickerson, Jake Scott, Josh Kerr)
  4. I Still Believe (Russell Dickerson, Parker Welling, Matt Jenkins, Zach Crowell)
  5. Big Wheels (Russell Dickerson, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson)
  6. I Remember (Russell Dickerson, Alysa Vanderheym, Chris Ryan, Logan Turner, Matt McGinn)
  7. I Wonder (Russell Dickerson, Jon Nite, Casey Brown)
  8. God Gave Me a Girl (Russell Dickerson, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Zach Crowell)
  9. All the Same Friends (Russell Dickerson, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill, Zach Crowell)
  10. Beers to the Summer (Russell Dickerson, Matt Jenkins, Mark Holman)
  11. She’s Why (Russell Dickerson, Josh Kerr, Sean Douglas)
  12. 18 (Russell Dickerson, Josh Kerr, Illsey Juber, Ashley Gorley)
  13. Over and Over (Russell Dickerson, Josh Kerr, Parker Welling, Jordan Reynolds)
  14. Drink to This (Russell Dickerson, Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Parker Welling)
  15. Just Like Your Mama (Russell Dickerson, Lori McKenna, Casey Brown)

Country Swag Picks:

  1. I Wonder
  2. I Still Believe
  3. Beers to the Summer
  4. God Gave Me a Girl
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Russell Dickerson’s self-titled album is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Russell Dickerson releases.

Russell Dickerson will be hitting the road on his She Likes It fall tour, with tickets available here.

To keep up with Russell Dickerson, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Russell Dickerson is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

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5 Kane Brown Songs That Should Have Been Singles

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At only 29 years old, Kane Brown has solidified himself as one of the top acts in country music, selling out arenas around the country and collecting numerous platinum hits across multiple genres. With eight number-one radio hits in six years, here are five others we think could’ve climbed the charts as well.

Here are 5 Kane Brown songs that should have been singles…

  1. “Learning” – Kane Brown

No song in Brown’s catalog tells his story better than the third track on his self-titled debut album, “Learning.” Fans instantly hear the struggles Brown faced early in his life and how by understanding forgiveness and learning how to let things go, he was able to become the brave, successful person he is today. While its subject matter may be too real for radio, its uplifting message is sure to touch listeners and is something everyone can be motivated by.

 

  1. “Rockstars” – Kane Brown

“Rockstars” is a song that only the day-one Kane Brown fans know, although, it might have been ahead of its time. So many artists and songwriters today build lyrics based on references from other songs, such as Thomas Rhett’s ‘What’s Your Country Song”, which hit number one last year. Based on this trend, “Rockstars” might have had success if pushed to radio. Instead of referencing country artists and songs, Brown name-drops rock bands such as The Rolling Stones, Blink 182, 3 Doors Down, Nirvana, and more.

 

  1. “Short Skirt Weather” – Experiment

Upon its release, “Short Skirt Weather” was one of Brown’s most traditional country song with its heavy use of banjo and fiddle. Brown has stated before that he wished him and his team put this to radio due to its popularity with the fans, especially during his live shows. In fact, even without it officially becoming a single, stations still played it, allowing it to reach the top 50 on the charts.

 

  1. “BFE” – Mixtape, Vol. 1

Brown released a short mixtape during the summer of COVID. Unfortunately, mainly because artists were not touring, songs that weren’t singles generally got overlooked. Credit to Brown, he managed to positively promote five of the seven tracks. “Cool Again” and Worship You” went to country radio; “Be Like That” went to pop radio; “Worldwide Beautiful” was a unifying song during the divided time; and “Last Time I Say Sorry” simply featured GRAMMY-winning artist, John Legend. The forgotten track, “BFE,” is an upbeat, fiddle and steel-driven tune about living in the middle of nowhere. Its fun lyrics would have made it a great song for radio. 

 

  1. “Whiskey Sour”— Different Man

“Thank God” is officially the latest single off Brown’s new record, Different Man, but we want “Whiskey Sour” to get the love it deserves. Perhaps too sad for radio, the excellently-written story centers around two young lovers talking about their forever until one day, much to the man’s surprise, she ends the relationship. What was once a drink they often shared together now becomes the liquid pain relief he needs to forget her memory. This song was released in January and is unlikely it will become a single, but it is still one of our favorites on the new album. 

Do you agree with our picks? Which Kane Brown songs do you think should have gone to radio?

To keep up with Kane Brown, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Luke Combs releases.

Different Man is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

who-is-madeline-merlo

Who Is Madeline Merlo? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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Who is Madeline Merlo? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about her journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

who-is-madeline-merlo

Photo by The Dwyers

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Madeline Merlo
Birthday – February 9th
Hometown – Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Music Influences – Rascal Flatts, Shania Twain, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Kieth Urban
Label – BBR Music Group
Current project- Slide EP (*as of date of article: 10/31/22)

The Beginning:

There is something exciting about watching Canadian country stars make the move to Nashville to grow and evolve their fanbase. Today, we are highlighting Canadian artist Madeline Merlo and her impressive journey so far.

Growing up in a small town in British Columbia, it was clear from a young age that Merlo was born to be a singer-songwriter. “I grew up in a pretty musical household with all types of genres,” she began. “I listened to a lot of Motown growing up and my mom loved country music, so a lot of Shaina Twain, Dolly, and the older stuff as well as Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, and more.”

At just six years old, Merlo recalls performing on stage for the first time. “I loved singing from a really young age. I performed for the first time at six years old at my kindergarten talent show. I sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the Wizard of Oz and I remember just feeling this visceral reaction of loving being on stage and wanting to do it more,” she shared.

From that point on, her mom helped her through musical theatre auditions, commercials, singing competitions, and restaurant gigs – wherever she could perform, she did. After attending her first concert at ten years old, Shania Twain, Merlo was even more convinced that country music was her calling. “I am really grateful for that, for having that kind of direction. It wasn’t like a decision sometimes, I think, it was always clear that this is what I was meant to do.”

The Turning Point:

When Merlo turned fifteen, her life started to transform. “I met a songwriter and producer near my hometown, and I started singing demos for him, where I was like ‘what does it look like to write a real song’,” shared the singer. Adding that she finally started writing real songs in high school.

During high school, one of her classmates sent one of her songs, unbeknownst to her, to the local radio station. “It’s a story of a lot of hardworking and tenacity, but certainly luck as well too. There were a lot of God moments sprinkled into my story, especially in the beginning,” began Merlo. “It was within weeks of meeting the radio programmer that I ended up signing a record deal. It was really crazy. I worked with this label called Open Road out of Canada and started putting out music.”

Despite garnering major success in Canada, including Canadian Country awards, playing at every major festival, and charting songs, Merlo had Nashville on her mind. “My heart was really called to be in Nashville, so in 2017, I packed up U-Haul and drove down to Nashville.”

While cutting her teeth in Nashville, Merlo received a message from a casting director, who had reached out to her years prior for a show that was never made. The casting director ended up casting her on Songland. “My manager sent them one song, and they were like ‘Cool, your flight’s tomorrow.’”

She went on to not only win her episode, but Lady A made her song “Champagne Night” their radio single, which eventually spent multiple weeks at number one on the charts. “It blew open so many doors and got me in the room with so many songwriters, and ultimately landed me my record deal with Broken Bow.”

Today:

With a record deal and a supportive team behind her, Merlo has officially begun her rise to country music stardom in the United States. The songstress made her major label debut in September with her EP, Slide. The project features four incredibly well-crafted songs, all co-written by the singer-songwriter.

Each of the four songs shares a different side of Merlo’s one-of-a-kind talent and personality. “For this debut project on this new label and the states, I wanted it to feel diverse and very, very on brand for me and a little tease of what the album looks like,” shared the songstress. The singer admitted that it took a while to truly get the music she wanted, adding that working with Zach Crowell helped her create music that was just right for her project.

When asked about her favorite song, Merlo, understandably, had a hard time choosing. “I love ‘youngish’ so much. I love “Girl Where He Grew Up”, but I think “Slide.” It was the catalyst, it was the first song that Zach and I did together […] When I wrote “Slide” it felt like the first step forward in that direction of where I wanted the project to go.”

Fans can rejoice because Merlo is certainly not done delivering more new music! “We have music locked and loaded ready to go that we’re planning to put out in the New Year.”

Connect:

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Madeline Merlo releases.

To keep up with Madeline Merlo, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter. 

Madeline Merlo’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.