DISClaimer Single Reviews: Three Acts Share Disc Of The Day

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Megan Moroney, Kip Moore and Jason Scott & The High Heat.

There’s an abundance of riches in this week’s DISClaimer round-up of country sounds.

So much so that we have to “share the wealth” by dividing up our honors. The Female Disc of the Day is Megan Moroney’s ballad, while the Male Disc of the Day goes to Kip Moore’s rocker and the Group prize belongs to Jason Scott & High Heat and their let-the-good-times-roll outing.

With a tuneful and warmly sung ditty, Conor Clemmons wins the DISCovery Award.

JENNA PAULETTE & JAKE WORTHINGTON / “Chasin’ Whiskey”
Writers: Joe Fox/Tony Lane; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Leo33
– Fiddles and steel draw out the regrets in this classic-sounding barroom weeper. Two superb country singers are at work here, and the result is honky-tonk heaven.

TUCKER WETMORE / “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”
Writer: Dan Baird; Producer: Chris LaCorte; Label: Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records/MCA
– Wetmore revives a Georgia Satellites goldie, retaining the rock swagger of the 1986 original while infusing it with his countryboy vocal whine. Energetic and charming.

CONOR CLEMMONS / “Nothin’ Like Love”
Writers: Conor Clemmons/Griffen Palmer/Mitch Clark; Producer: Kevin Rooney; Label: CC
– The warmth in his voice is engaging, and the highly melodic, country-pop arrangement propels the whole audio package forcefully forward. Sunny and positive and refreshing. Clemmons stages his Nashville debut as a headliner this evening (Oct. 23) at The Back Corner in Germantown (1411 Fifth Ave. N.)

MEGAN MORONEY / “Beautiful Things”
Writers: Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander/Jessie Jo DillonMegan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Records
– From a broken-hearted place come words of comfort and hope. She reassures the hurting one that, “You’re pretty and you’re smart….The world is hard on beautiful things.” A tender ballad with a healing balm.

THE RED CLAY STRAYS / “People Hatin’”
Writers: Andrew Bishop/Brandon Coleman/Dave Cobb/John Hall/Matthew Coleman/Zach Rishel; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Red Clay Strays/RCA Records
– A blues-rock slow jam with anguished vocals and attitude. Way out on the edge of what is “country.”

ZAC BROWN BAND / “The Sum”
Writers: Lukas Nelson/Zac Brown; Producer: Zac Brown; Label: Master of None
– Uplifting and wise. “You need the dark to see the stars.” The track builds from a stark, solo sound to a nearly shouted, anthem-like chorale of echoing voices. Classy stuff.

VALERIE JUNE / “Maybellene”
Writer: Chuck Berry; Producer: Lawrence Rothman; Label: One Riot Records
– Last weekend in St. Louis was “Chuck Berry’s Birthday Bash” to celebrate what would have been the rockabilly legend’s 99th birthday (Oct. 18). The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra collaborated with a number of vocalists over a two-night extravaganza. One of them was Memphian Valerie June, whose new single reimagines Berry’s 1955 breakthrough hit as a horn-punctuated bopper with tickling ivories and soulful backing vocals. Lively and fun.

KIP MOORE / “The Crown”
Writers: Andrew DeRoberts/Kip Moore/Luke Preston; Producers: Andrew DeRoberts, Kip Moore; Label: KM
– In a career that’s been built on barn-burning performances, this one truly scorches. Moore’s gripping rasp advises us to live life to the fullest, but be wary of crashes. His most fiery and fearsome single to date. This deserves massive exposure. Turn it up.

CLAY STREET UNIT & LINDSAY LOU / “Choctaw County”
Writers: Sam Walker/Scottie Bolin; Producer: Chris Pandolfi; Label: Leo33
– Pining for lost love and reminiscing with sadness while steel, mandolin and guitars chime along in sympathy. A promising debut.

CHASE RICE / “ELDORA”
Writers: Chase Rice/Oscar Charles/Wyatt McCubbin; Producer: Oscar Charles; Label: Dack Janiels Records
– Echoey, wafting and lovely, the atmospheric title tune of Rice’s new collection is a reflection on the peace of the Colorado Rockies. The record marks his reinvention as an indie-label troubadour and is a completely ear-opening experience. Well done.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Mean to Me”
Writers: Diego Urias/Kashus Culpepper/Matt Warren/Oscar Charles; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud Records
– She’s really mean and hateful, but the track is so doggone catchy and tuneful that you can’t keep still. Beautifully produced, this soars while it aches. I didn’t want it to end.

TY MYERS & MARCUS KING / “Two Trains”
Writers: Lowell George; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia
– Myers takes on a vintage Little Feat tune with an ably rocking assist from King. The two guitarists trade licks and fluidly as they trade lines. Myers’ star continues to rise—he sold out The Pinnacle for his Nashville concert last Friday night (Oct. 17).

JASON SCOTT & HIGH HEAT / “Too Good, Too Bad”
Writers: Jason Scott/Taylor Johnson; Producers: Jason Scott, Taylor Johnson; Label: Leo33
– Rollicking and rootsy. As we bop along, we’re doing all kinda stuff that really isn’t good for us. But ain’t it fun? A good-time, feel-good single.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: New Russell Dickerson Is ‘Joyously Rocking’

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Russell Dickerson

Back to the barrooms!

This edition of DISClaimer spotlights a number of talents who are steering this genre back to country music. You can’t go wrong with superb efforts by Vince Gill, Morgan Wallen, Carter Faith, Joe Nichols and Mae Estes.

Rollicking Russell Dickerson rides off with the Disc of the Day award.

Lex Lashaun is a new female voice on the contemporary country scene. Her debut earns her a DISCovery Award.

LUKAS NELSON, SIERRA FERRELL, TRAVELIN’ McCOURYS / “Unknown Legend”
Writer: Neil Young; Producers: Lukas Nelson, Ronnie McCoury; Label: 6 Ace Records/Sony Music Nashville
– Zesty and utterly refreshing. The fleet fingers of the McCourys scamper across the fretboards to set the brisk tempo. Lukas begins to spin the yarn of a free-spirited gal who rides the roads. Then Sierra takes over, and, as always, everything she sings is a cloak of shining gold. When everyone is picking and singing at this level, I’m in heaven.

BRANTLEY GILBERT / “Want You Back”
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Hunter Phelps/Michael Hardy/Will Weatherly; Producers: Brantley Gilbert, Brock Berryhill, Will Weatherly; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Clever and engaging. He wishes she’d done something totally crazy instead of just breaking up. That way he knows he’d never miss her. The track rocks and Gilbert delivers just the right touch of snark.

DASHA / “Work on Me”
Writers: Amy Allen/Dasha/John Ryan; Producer: John Ryan; Label: Warner Records
– Car-repair imagery abounds in this saucy come-on. Dasha’s wit and pop smarts twinkle as brightly as ever.

MORGAN WALLEN / “20 Cigarettes”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/Chase McGill/Chris LaCorte/Josh Miller; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records/ Mercury Records/Republic Records
– The lyric is loaded with visuals and Wallen delivers the goods, vocally. A night of passion in a pick-up truck that sounds youthful and utterly authentic.

MAE ESTES / “I Better Go”
Writers: Brice Long/Mae Estes/Paul Sikes; Producer: Paul Sikes; Label: Big Machine Records
– She has a lovely, pure-country delivery. The mid-tempo tune explores the war between the head and the heart as she contemplates whether to take a walk on the wild side or not. I think I could listen to this lady all day.

THOMAS RHETT & NIALL HORAN / “Old Tricks”
Writers: Andrew Haas/Ian Franzino/Jim Beavers/John Ryan/Julian Bunetta/Thomas Rhett; Producers: Dann Huff, Julian Bunetta, Scott Hendricks; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Rhett takes the global pop star out for a night in the honky tonks. Horan seems marvelously comfortable in this twangin,’ good-time, country rocker. Lotsa roadhouse fun. 

GREG BLAKE / “Nora McNally”
Writers: Milan Miller; Producer: none listed; Label: Turnberry Records
– Greg Blake continues on the 50th-anniversary tour of Special Consensus. In the meantime, he cuts solo tunes like this bluegrass ditty of an alluring lass. His mellow tone floats atop the merry instrumental work and explains his two-time anointment as the IBMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year.

JOE NICHOLS / “Goodbyes Are Hard to Listen To”
Writers: Jacob Lyda/James LeBlanc/Jen Stegall; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Quartz Hill Records
– A terrific barroom weeper from a master of the form. Advice for the broken hearted: “You shouldn’t mix whiskey/With Haggard and Whitley.” Or Hank: He needs to padlock the jukebox because he keeps playing “Lovesick Blues” over and over. Country music with a capital “C.”

VINCE GILL / “I Gave You Everything I Had”
Writer: Vince Gill; Producer: Vince Gill; Label: MCA
– This heart-tugging ballad is the elegy of an aging troubadour looking back at a life well lived. It’s a mini-masterpiece of emotion from one of our living giants. You’ll hear nothing but cheers and amens from me about that lifetime MCA Records contract. A legendary talent for the ages.

CARTER FAITH / “Betty”
Writers: Carter Faith/Shane McAnally/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: MCA
– “Charming” doesn’t even begin to describe this bopper. In a pert and perky vocal performance, Faith imagines her ex with a beauty who cooks. Jealous? Just a titch.

RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Worth Your Wild”
Writers: Anthony Kiedis/Bret Mazur/Casey Brown/Chad Smith/John Frusciante/Michael Balzary/Parker Welling/Russell Dickerson/Seth Binzer; Producers: Casey Brown, Josh Kerr, Russell Dickerson; Label: Triple Tigers
– Joyously rocking. This lights a fire under Friday night and points to a night of tearin’ up the roads and makin’ whoopie. Dickerson always heats up a playlist, and he’s hotter than ever here.

LEX LASHAUN / “From the Start”
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Label: LL
– She didn’t grow up on a farm, own a truck, go hunting or live a rural life. But she loves good country music. Her throaty alto and the strummed acoustic guitar on this sweet ballad are the proof. An excellent disc debut.

MORGXN / “Evergreens”
Writers: Kyle Ryan/Morgan Karr; Producers: Kyle Ryan, MORGXN; Label: BMG
– Nashville native Morgxn (Morgan Karr) is an openly queer folk-pop artist. His debut outing since signing with BMG is a super happy love song, sung to a strummy acoustic track. This artist’s LGBTLQ+ advocacy and his alternative-radio hit “Home” have led to guesting on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Kelly Clarkson Show, as well as a slot on Lollapalooza. The video for “Evergreens” finds him riding around in the bed of a pick-up truck with an all-female band, driving past the sights of Music City.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Braxton Keith Gives ‘Sublime Performance’ Of George Strait Classic

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Braxton Keith. Photo: Benjamin Humphrey

Nostalgia and new country are on the menu today in DISClaimer.

With new/old sounds by David Frizzell & Shelly West, Dan Seals and Waylon Jennings, plus oldie revivals like “I Love You a Thousand Ways,” “The Chair” and “Three Time Loser,” country music certainly maintains its longtime reputation for nostalgia. But the youngsters are doing their part to keep things lively—I’m especially digging Gabby Barrett, Zach John King, Kane Brown, Lee Brice and Karley Scott Collins today.

Braxton Keith takes home his first Disc of the Day award for his stunning revival of “The Chair,” which manages to be both utterly fresh and deeply nostalgic.

Our DISCovery Award winner is honky-tonkin’ Trey Pendley.

ZACH JOHN KING / “Still Feel the Burn”
Writers: Matt Dragstrem/Ryan Hurd/Zach John King; Producers: Ryan Wilson, Zach John King; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– A mysterioso guitar riff jangles into a plaintive, mid-tempo heartache lament. A swirling production, soft-yet-punchy percussion and piercing vocal add up to an utterly captivating sound. This guy has something here.

ANNIE BOSKO & DARIUS RUCKER / “Old Friends”
Writers: Annie Bosko/David “Messy” Mescon/Rob Hatch; Producer: David “Messy” Mescon; Label: Stone Country Records
– Rucker kicks it off and sings lead on the choruses of this choppy rocker. Bosko’s sprightly soprano keeps up the pace. The lyric is an ode to enduring relationships. Her album containing this is California Cowgirl, dropped last Friday.

GABBY BARRETT / “Ain’t Supposed to Be”
Writers: Chase McGill/Gabby Barrett/Jon Nite/Ross Copperman; Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Sometimes love arrives in the most unexpected places. They found each other, and that’s all that matters. Barrett delivers this ballad with loads of power and intensity. Lovely listening.

DAN SEALS & JAMEY JOHNSON / “Three Time Loser”
Writer: Dan Seals; Producer: none listed; Label: Melody Place
– Johnson evidently agrees with me that Dan Seals was one of the all-time greats. He swaps lines with the late singer-songwriter on one of his most delightful tracks. Scampering guitars and stuttering steel underscore a delightfully frisky country-rock sizzler. Loved every second of it.

BRENDAN WALTER / “Disappearing Days”
Writers: Brendan Walter Coughlin, Jr./Gary Stanton/Grady Smith; Producer: Grady Smith; Label: Records V2
– It is rather over-produced. The loud, grinding guitars overwhelm his country boy vocal on every chorus. By the time you get to mid song, he sounds like he’s drowning in sound.

LEE BRICE / “Killed the Man”
Writers: Jared Conrad/Michael Whitworth/Troy Cartwright; Producers: Ben Glover, Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice; Label: Curb Records 
– Terrifically compelling. This grabs hold of your attention and grips it tightly. As usual, he’s singing his face off. The lyric is dynamite, too, as he explains his rebirth as a person. Essential.

BRAXTON KEITH / “The Chair”
Writers: Dean Dillon/Hank Cochran; Producers: Alex Torrez, David Dorn; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Keith takes this fabulous George Strait oldie out for a welcome revival. The song is a country-music masterpiece. It takes guts to go up against Strait’s iconic performance, but this man is up to the task, and then some. Hear for yourself why it has streamed two million times in a single week. A tip of the cowboy hat to a sublime performance of an undeniable classic.

KANE BROWN / “Unspoken”
Writers: Beau Bailey/Gabe Foust/Jacob Hackworth/Kane Brown; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Live your life without regrets by speaking the truth at all times. Lyrics with meaning, delivered with heartfelt sincerity. Beautifully done. Somebody say, “Amen.”

TREY PENDLEY / “Drunk As Any Rich Man”
Writers: Jacob Bryant/John Davidson/Trey Pendley; Producers: Jacob Bryant, John Davidson; Label: Leo33
– This drawling honky-tonker is a retro blast. You say you miss real country music? Well, belly up to this bar, buddy.

WAYLON JENNINGS / “Songbird”
Writer: Christine McVie; Producers: Richie Albright, Waylon Jennings; Label: Son of Jessi
– This is the title tune of an album of previously unreleased material by this Country Music Hall of Famer. It’s the first of three such collections compiled and produced by son Shooter Jennings. The new instrumentation gives polish to Waylon’s somewhat raw scratch vocal. The song (by Fleetwood Mac’s gifted Christine McVie) is a gentle meditation on the comfort of true love. The album dropped last week.

KIMBERLY KELLY / “Modern Day Woman”
Writers: Blue Foley/Chancie Neal/Kimberly Kelly; Producer: Brett Tyler; Label: KK
– This former Next Women of Country participant and Show Dog Records artist returns with a thumping, strutting, strong-female anthem. She sounds country-and-proud throughout the performance.

DAVID FRIZZELL & SHELLY WEST / “I Love You a Thousand Ways”
Writers: Jim Beck/Lefty Frizzell; Producer: none listed; Label: StarVista
– The CMA Vocal Duo of the Year in 1981 & 1982 reunites for the first time in 40 years to revive this 1950 Lefty Frizzell classic. Of course they sounded better back in the day—didn’t we all? But even with a touch more vibrato and a little less lung power, they still sound dandy on this well-produced outing. It’s a track from a Lefty tribute album that also features Freddie Hart, Gene Watson, Merle Haggard, Bill Anderson and more.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Denim”
Writers: Alex Kline/Karley Scott Collins/Sara Bares/Stephan Lee Benson; Producers: Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Her drawled, smoky alto vocal is ultra cool, especially with the quasi-yodeled falsetto breaks. Like so much of what this lady does, this is utterly haunting.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Release ‘Catchy Country Rocker’

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I can’t remember when I enjoyed a listening session more.

The reason is that this edition of DISClaimer reviews current country records that are actually country music. Thanks for that, Joshua Hedley, Jake Worthington, Avery Anna, Alex Miller, HARDY and the rest of you fine folks.

It also says something about the depth of our talent pool when Jon Randall, Ray Benson, Shooter Jennings, Alan Jackson, Daniel Tashian, Jerry Salley and Jerry Douglas are names in the credits and not out front. How cool is that?

The Disc of the Day belongs to the legendary, enduring Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The group may be retiring, but it clearly still has plenty of gas in its tank.

Give a DISCovery Award to Brandon Wisham.

BRANDON WISHAM / “Whiskey’s Whisperin’”
Writers: Andrew Stoelzing/Brandon Wisham/Nate Miles/Zachary Knowles; Producer: Nate Miles; Label: UMG
– He sounds like a wonderful singer. Imagine what he could do with a song that had a melody.

JAKE OWEN / “Long Time Lovin’ You”
Writers: Kendell Marvel/Will Jones; Producers: Jake Owen, Kendell Marvel, Shooter Jennings; Label: Good Company Entertainment
– Owen sings in a softer tone and a lower register on this gentle love ballad. It’s lovely, simple folk-country, somewhat in the manner of the late Don Williams. Which is to say, it’s awfully good. Ear cleansing and spirit soothing.

ALEX MILLER / “Secondhand Smoke”
Writers: Alan Jackson/Jim McBride; Producer: Jerry Salley; Label: Billy Jam Records
– Yee-Haw! This honky-tonk romp will have you grinning from ear to ear. Get a load of those songwriter credits. Is there any doubt in your mind that this is a COUNTRY record? Miller is one of our finest singers, and he really struts his stuff on this barroom toe-tapper.

HARDY / “Dog Years”
Writer: Michael Hardy; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– As a total dog lover, I found this irresistible. It’s written from the point of view of a stray who finds a boy to love him. And, yes, the ballad ends sadly, as every good dog story does. They are wonderful little beings who come into our lives, but leave too soon because they just don’t live as long as we do. Hardy captures these emotions perfectly.

JOSHUA HEDLEY / “Fresh Hot Biscuits”
Writer: Joshua Hedley; Producers: Joshua Hedley, Ray Benson; Label: New West Records
– Hedley teams up with members of Asleep at the Wheel for this splendid western-swing bopper. In addition to delivering a dandy, jaunty vocal, he breaks out a hot fiddle solo in midsong. If you’d like to catch this country talent live, head on downtown to Robert’s Western World whenever he’s performing as the resident entertainer.

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND / “Night After Night”
Writers: Daniel Tashian/Paul Kennerley; Producer: Jerry Douglas; Label: Many Hats Distribution
– OMG what a delightful track. The band zips through this catchy country rocker with joyous abandon. The song has more hooks than a tuna boat, and Jeff Hanna’s lead vocal is beyond cool. Put this on endless repeat. The Dirt Band is currently on its farewell tour. Go see these legends while you still can.

ASHLEY COOKE / “The Hell You Are”
Writers: Ashley Cooke/Chase McGill/Emily Weisband/Joe Fox/Seth Ennis; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Big Loud Records
– She’s finally had enough. In this lively, rollicking kiss-off, she lets him know that his lines don’t work anymore. The mix perfectly balances her saucy delivery and a full-bodied country-rock production with notes that pierce like drops of fire. Extremely well done.

CHARLEY PRIDE / “Thank You Pretty Baby”
Writers: Brook Benton/Clyde Otis; Producers: Bob Pickering, Charley Pride; Label: Music City Records
– Endlessly is a tribute album to Brook Benton (1931-1988) by Pride. The new CD came about after the tapes for it were discovered following the superstar’s death from COVID in 2020. The performances are a revelation, perhaps the finest vocals of the Hall of Famer’s career. This entire project is essential listening. The single from it is a charming, retro bopper, punctuated by sax bursts and propelled by some punchy, shuffling percussion.

AVERY ANNA / “Girl of Constant Sorrow”
Writer: Avery Anna; Producer: David Fanning; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This is an enchanting, folk-maiden performance. Her aching soprano is backed by simple acoustic guitar accompaniment. Let the cares of the world slip away and allow yourself to be transported back to a time when music was this pure and clear.

JAKE WORTHINGTON / “Two First Names”
Writers: Brett Tyler/Jake Worthington/Wyatt McCubbin; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud Records
– Twang to spare. The witty lyric is groovy enough, but Worthington’s vocal delivery of it is honky-tonk nirvana. Add some stuttering guitar, barrelhoue piano, stinging steel and fiddle flourishes and you’re got yourself a shining little country-music jewel. Worthington’s sophomore album also features collabs with Miranda, Marty and Mae Estes. Get it.

VINCENT MASON / “Days Are Numbered”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Geoff Warburton/Jessie Jo Dillon/Vincent Mason; Producers: Jake Gear, Vincent Mason; Label: MCA Nashville/Music Soup/Interscope Records
– There’s something kinda muffled about the way his vocal is miked. The yearning, contemplative song is a easy-going ride with his tender tenor backed by steel and guitar.

HUNEYFIRE / “My Country”
Writers: Caitlin Evanson/Cheaza Figueroa/Marriana Barlow; Producer: Cheaza Figueroa; Label: Double Decades Entertainment
– The mother-daughter duo issues this slowly paced song as a statement of purpose. It is somewhat thinly produced for a range-y power ballad, but they warble it well.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Colbie Caillat & Maren Morris Team For Disc Of The Day

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Colbie Caillat & Maren Morris

The ladies rocked this edition of DISClaimer.

With stellar work turned in by Priscilla Block, Tori Martin, The Castellows, Harper Grace and the scintillating Sister Sadie, how can you deny them? The Disc of the Day award goes to the female duet of Colbie Caillat and Maren Morris.

Mind you, male stars were not absent from the listening session—Jelly Roll & Bon Jovi, Luke Bryan, Rodney Atkins and Hunter Hayes saw to that. One of them, Shaboozey, introduces this week’s DISCovery Award winner, Kevin Powers.

TORI MARTIN / “Cowgirls Ride”
Writers: Bill DiLuigi/Kirsti Manna/Tori Martin; Producer: Bill Warner; Label: LuckySky Music
– Soaring and anthem-like, Martin wails above a femme harmony chorus, sometimes rapping, sometimes in a throaty alto. The twang production sits just right. The oft-repeated title words are pretty much the whole song. The video features cowgirls herding, barrel racing, doing equestrian show moves and saddling their steeds in the wide open spaces.

RODNEY ATKINS / “Helluvit”
Writers: Daniel Ethridge/Rodney Atkins/Rose Falcon/Seth Mosley; Producers: Jordan Schmidt, Rodney Atkins; Label: Curb Records
– Kinda funky, kinda groovy, kinda fun. Atkins romps through this ode to domestic bliss with a smile and a wink. The lighthearted ditty is immensely likeable. Listen with a smile and bop along.

THE MARCUS KING BAND & NOAH CYRUS / “The Shadows”
Writers: Madi Yanofsky/Marcus King/Nick Monson; Producer: Eddie Spear; Label: American Records/Republic Records
– Nashville’s young guitar wonder King strolls into a retro soul/funk groove in this wafting, easy-going pop production. Cyrus slides up next him with her own brand of soulful singing. The whole thing is dreamy sounding. The track is drawn from his new album, Darling Blue, which drops tomorrow (Sept. 26). On it, you’ll also find King collaborating with Jamey Johnson, new sensation Jesse Welles, Noah Cyrus and newly crowned Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year, Billy Strings.

BON JOVI & JELLY ROLL / “Living Proof”
Writers: John M. Shanks/Jon Bon Jovi; Producers: John Shanks, Jon Bon Jovi; Label: Bon Jovi Profit Split
– This lively, grinding rocker kicks up plenty of dust. Both men are singing their butts off, with Jelly Roll being the surprising winner of the vocal duel. Audio energy rules here.

THE CASTELLOWS / “Heartland”
Writers: Ellie Balkcom/Jack Rauton/Lily Balkcom/Powell Balkcom; Producer: Rick Nowels; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– Airy, melodic and lilting, with just enough kick in the backbeats. As usual, the trio’s harmonies are flawless

SHABOOZEY & KEVIN POWERS / “Move On”
Writers: Alex Cabrera/Collins Obinna Chibueze/David Ray Stevens/Jake Torrey/Kevin Powers/Serg Sanchez/Whit Kane; Producer: Sean Cook; Label: American Dogwood/EMPIRE
– Shaboozey introduces his new American Dogwood label imprint with this catchy collaboration. It’s a rolling country rocker. Powers kicks it off, but the star’s jaunty vocal is just as endearing as they ask an ex how she was able to move on so effortlessly. Playlist ready, and then some. Shaboozey brings his “Great American Roadshow Tour” to the Pinnacle on Monday (Sept. 29).

SISTER SADIE / “All Will Be Well”
Writers: Daniel Dodd Wilson/Gabriel Barry Dixon; Producer: Deanie Richardson; Label: Mountain Home Music Company
– The all-female group’s title tune of its new album is a breezy, uptempo scamper through summer fields. Their ace picking is as sublime as their creamy vocal blend. The band and its members cleaned up at this month’s IBMA Awards, winning the bluegrass world’s Song, Instrumentalist, Collaborative Recording, Gospel Recording and Instrumental Recording of the Year prizes. The gals will be at the Franklin Theatre with The Travelin’ McCourys next Thursday, Oct. 2.

LUKE BRYAN / “Kansas”
Writers: Chase McGill/Hillary Lindsey/Matt Dragstrem; Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Nicely done. Bryan sings this power ballad with just piano accompaniment. It’s a plea for love delivered with country-boy sincerity.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Phones and Radios”
Writers: Blake Pendergrass/David Garcia/Priscilla Block/Trannie Anderson; Producers: Dave Cohen, David Garcia; Label: MCA
– Block previews her Things You Didn’t See collection (due Oct. 10) with this heartache number. He breaks up with her — suddenly and unexpectedly — on a late-night drive in the country. She’s devastated, but remains clear eyed and relates the tale with plain-spoken honesty. Which is what we’ve come to expect from this talented tunesmith.

COLBIE CAILLAT & MAREN MORRIS / “Fallin’ For You”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/Rick Nowels; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records
– A rolling, rumbling, country-rock delight. The two women’s voices blend so seamlessly that it sounds like they’ve been singing together all their lives. It’s drawn from Caillat’s This Time Around, an all-duets collection that drops tomorrow (Sept. 26). The wildly catchy, rhythm-happy tune was a double-Platinum pop hit for her in 2009.

HARPER GRACE / “Take It to the Grave”
Writers: Harper Grace/Jimmy Thow/Michael De Lorenzis/Michael Paynter; Producer: Cooper Bascom/Michael De Lorenzis/Michael Paynter/Tedd T; Label: Curb Records
– Feisty, sassy and tart, this snappy little “attitude” tune warns the boys that she’s a heartbreaker. This lady never disappoints.

HUNTER HAYES / “Every Piece”
Writers: Hunter Hayes/John Mark Nelson/Sam Ellis; Producers: Alex Flagstad, Hunter Hayes; Label: LP Entertainment
– Hayes is hushed and intimate in this languid, soul-infused love song. His guitar work sparkles in between phrases. It ain’t all that “country,” but it sure is cool.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Charley Pride Lost Tapes Are ‘Finest Of His Career’

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Charley Pride. Photo: Ben De Rienzo

This edition of DISClaimer covers country sounds, but takes a few detours along the way.

For your listening pleasure, we have a reissued blues classic by B.B. King, a disco tune from Dustin Lynch, a revival of a Buddy Holly standard by Joe Ely and a romping rock & roll outing by the Music City blues-rock band Piper & The Hard Times. The last-named is our DISCovery Award winner.

This week’s Disc of the Day also colors outside the lines a bit. It is a masterful tribute to the music of the great Brook Benton by our late country superstar Charley Pride. It is absolutely essential listening.

JENNA PAULETTE / “Steady”
Writers: Jenna Paulette/Rhett Akins/Will Bundy; Producer: Will Bundy; Label: Leo33
– The upbeat, rolling-tempo groove is irresistible. Paulette’s cowgirl delivery conveys country sincerity in every note of this romance. Fiddle and steel abound. Highly recommended.

CHRIS YOUNG / “Brake Lights”
Writers: Chris Young/Hillary Lindsey/Jesse Frasure/Ty Graham; Producers: Andy Sheridan, Chris Young; Label: Black River Entertainment
– He’s begging to get her back. The thunderous production is too busy and muddy. The rock guitar solo at the coda goes on forever.

TIGIRLILY GOLD / “Call It Home (A Song for North Dakota)”
Writers: Josh Jenkins/Kendra Slaubaugh/Krista Slaubaugh/Pete Good; Producers: Austin Goodloe, Pete Good; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– Olson and Slaughbaugh are the new spokespersons for North Dakota tourism. They salute their home state with this lively ditty that celebrates its natural beauty. Bop and dance along to this open-sky ode.

CHARLEY PRIDE / “Endlessly”
Writers: Brook Benton/Clyde Otis; Producers: Bob Pickering, Charley Pride; Label: Music City Records
– Tomorrow (Sept. 19) would have been Brook Benton’s 94th birthday. I have long believed that he was an unheralded country hero. The pop-soul baritone recorded two country albums, immortalized Tony Joe White’s “Rainy Night in Georgia” and wrote great songs that were covered by country stars. Benton and/or his co-writer Clyde Otis were responsible for “It’s Just a Matter of Time” (Randy Travis), “The Ties That Bind” (Don Williams). “Endlessly” (Sonny James) and more. The last named is the title tune of a long overdue Brook Benton tribute album. After Charley Pride’s death in 2020, these tapes were found, revealing that the superstar was definitely appreciative of Benton’s talent. His vocal performances on these classics are arguably the finest of his career. Backed by the Dallas Symphony, Pride glides through the lushly melodic “Endlessly” and dips into its bass notes with delight. Every track on this collection is a mini masterpiece. Also check out his stunning version of “The Ties That Bind.” The collection drops tomorrow (Sept. 19).

LORI McKENNA / “Tied to You”
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Ben West; Label: CN Records
– McKenna holds three Grammys for Best Country Song. Her works have been sung by Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert and other greats. She is also a helluva singer, herself. She wrote this about one of her kids moving far away, but it’s an anthem for everyone missing a loved one. The harmony vocal is by singer-songwriter Medium Build. I have such a crush on this woman.

JASON ALDEAN / “How Far Does a Goodbye Go”
Writers: John Edwards/John Morgan/Kurt Allison/Tully Kennedy; Producer: Michael Knox; Label: Broken Bow Records
– It’s a lovelorn power ballad with some nicely poetic word play. Radio ready.

PIPER & THE HARD TIMES / “Good Company”
Writers: Al Green/Steve Eagon; Producer: Tres Sasser; Label: Hard Times Records
– This is a Nashville-based blues-rock ensemble. Paced by Piper Green’s gruff, soulful vocal delivery, it kicks up some classic rock & roll dust on the rousing title tune of its new CD. For its ballad skills, check out the nostalgic “Those Days.”

THOMAS RHETT & JORDAN DAVIS / “Ain’t a Bad Life”
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Blake Pendergrass/John Byron/Mark Trussell/Thomas Rhett; Producers: Mark Trussell & Paul DiGiovanni; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– In praise of a simple country life, coming from two bona fide good ol’ boys. Warm and cozy. Hit bound.

CHASE McDANIEL / “Die Trying”
Writers: Chase McDaniel/Lindsay Rimes/Seth Ennis; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: Big Machine Records
– Intensely romantic, with a soaring guitar solo in mid song that leads to the song’s pounding crescendo. Highly listenable.

B.B. KING / “The Thrill Is Gone”
Writers: Rick Darnell/Roy Hawkins; Producer: Bill Szymczyk; Label: MCA
– Tuesday (Sept. 16) marked the 100th birthday of blues titan and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member B.B. King. MCA Records will be celebrating his centennial all year long. The legend’s entire catalog will be reissued on all digital and physical platforms. To kick things off, the label is remastering and reissuing King’s signature 1970 hit. It still sounds awesome.

HANNAH ELLIS / “Officer Down”
Writers: Hannah Ellis/Justin Ebach/Steven Dale Jones; Producer: Josh Kerr, Justin Ebach; Label: Curb Records
– This gentle, heartfelt ballad is about her cousin, a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Ellis originally issued on an indie label in 2017. Curb has touched it up to mark the 10th anniversary of cousin Daniel’s death. Touching and impactful.

DUSTIN LYNCH & MC4D / “Home to You”
Writers: Chris Drake/Dustin Lynch/Matt Drake/Richard Brandon Davis/Trent Tomlinson; Producer: MC4D; Label: BBR Music Group/BMG
– Interesting. It’s a country vocal on top of a high voltage, electronic-dance-music production. Refreshingly different, I guess.

JOE ELY / “Raining In My Heart”
Writers: Boudleaux Bryant/Felice Bryant; Producer: Radar Initiative; Label: Rack ‘Em/Thirty Tigers
– Singer-songwriter Joe Ely has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. About 10 years ago, he recorded a batch of tunes solo. Thanks to AI, his tapes have been cleaned up and instrumentation has been added. Ely is from Lubbock, also the hometown of Buddy Holly, so this tribute recording of Holly’s 1959 hit makes perfect sense. Although he can no longer perform, Ely continues to share his music and his heart.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zac Brown Band & Dolly Parton Team For Disc Of The Day

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Zac Brown & Dolly Parton

Today’s DISClaimer is awash in nostalgia for classic songs and artists.

David Frizzell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dan Seals and Willie Nelson are here, reminding us of our illustrious country-music past with “Always Late,” “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight,” “Everything That Glitters” and “Workin’ Man Blues.” Jack Schneider chimes in with his revival of “Crying in the Rain” and earns a DISCovery Award for his effort.

The Disc of the Day also features a classic stylist as the Zac Brown Band recruits the enduring Dolly Parton for a dynamite duet.

ROSIE FLORES / “Lines”
Writer: Rosie Flores; Producer: Ed Stasium; Label: Mule Kick Records
– Flores is a founding mother of the Left Coast alt-country/Americana scene, and her new music shows that she’s lost none of her moxie. This debut single from her Impossible Frontiers album (due Sept. 26) is a spikey, frisky, tuneful, pop-country outing with layered vocal harmonies and lively guitar licks. Utterly charming.

CHARLEY CROCKETT / “Crucified Son”
Writers: Charley Crockett/Kyle Madrigal/Taylor Grace; Producer: Charley Crockett, Shooter Jennings; Label: Island Records
– Texas “gulf and western” maverick Crockett has moved to a new label home and offers this loping, bluesy slow-jam from his Dollar a Day collection. Effortlessly cool.

ZAC BROWN BAND & DOLLY PARTON / “Butterfly”
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Sasha Sirota/Zac Brown; Producer: Zac Brown; Label: Master of None
– In a word, thrilling. Brown and Parton both sing their faces off on this inspirational duet that soars on wings of harmony. By the time they finish, you feel like you’re flying on the wind. Essential listening.

WARREN ZEIDERS / “Only Bible”
Writers: Daniel Ross/Joe Clemmons/Ryan Hurd/Warren Zeiders; Producers: Ross Copperman, Warren Zeiders; Label: Warner Records
– His vocal ranges from hushed intimacy to raw shouts of passion. The lyric explains that real spirituality can come from person-to-person contact rather than from the pages of a book. Zeiders sells this beautifully produced gem like a pro.

LUKE BRYAN & DAN SEALS / “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)”
Writers: Bob McDill/Dan Seals; Producer: Kyle Lehning; Label: Melody Place
– The late, great Dan Seals placed 25 singles on the country charts and scored 11 No. 1 hits, including this 1986 chart topper. The tender, classic story song scores again in this new duet. It’s drawn from a collection of collaborations that aims to keep his memory alive. Amen to that.

CARTER FAITH / “Arrows (Die For That Man)”
Writers: Carter Faith/Steph Jones/Tofer Brown; Producer: Tofer Brown; Label: MCA
– She swore she wouldn’t become a victim of love, but Cupid had other ideas. Faith’s sweet/tart soprano burbles along over a gently bopping production.

WILLIE NELSON / “Workin’ Man Blues”
Writers: Merle Haggard; Producers: Mickey Raphael, Willie Nelson; Label: Legacy Recordings
– Willie’s distinctive acoustic guitar, Bobbie Nelson’s piano, Paul Nelson’s brushed drumming and Mickey Raphael’s harmonica anchor this toe-tapping revival of Hag’s 1969 classic. Willie’s vocal is one of the jazziest of his long, storied career. The upcoming album is devoted to the music of the late Merle, and these performances were the last studio recordings by both Bobbie and Paul. Righteous work.

MARGO PRICE / “Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down”
Writers: Jeremy Ivey/Kris Kristofferson/Margo Price/Rodney Crowell; Producer: Matt Ross-Spang; Label: Loma Vista Recordings
– This one’s a twang-soaked country rocker with an “outlaw” vibe. Price’s piercing soprano sasses in all the right places.

FLAT RIVER BAND & THE OAK RIDGE BOYS / “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight”
Writers: Donovan Cowart/Rodney Crowell; Producers: Flat River Band, Tre’ Corley; Label: FRB/Early Bird Records
– An unexpected delight. The band takes the 1980 oldie and gives it fresh percussion and acoustic picking. Their harmonies are spot-on and get even fuller when the Hall of Famer Oaks chime in with joyous quartet singing. Beautifully done. The video is a mini-movie with John Schneider appearing in his “Bo Duke” personna.

JACK SCHNEIDER / “Crying in the Rain”
Writers: Carole King/Gerry Goffin; Producer: Matt Andrews; Label: Jeffers Records
– Schneider gives this 1962 Everly Brothers jewel a gentle, acoustic, softly pleasing folkie spin. I have always loved this song, which was also a 1981 country single for Tammy Wynette. The harmony vocal is by the esteemed Wendy Moten, who should have been mixed louder. Schneider is a Nashville singer-songwriter who has played rhythm guitar for Vince Gill for years. His album, Streets of September, drops on the 19th.

DAVID, ALLEN & LEFTY FRIZZELL / “Always Late- With Your Kisses”
Writers: Lefty Frizzell; Producer: none listed; Label: StarVista
– David Frizzell’s forthcoming (Sept. 26) album is a tribute to his Hall of Fame brother Lefty with guests including Jimmy Fortune, Merle Haggard, Shelly West, Freddie Hart, Gene Watson, Ronnie Reno, Marty Haggard, Bill Anderson and Georgette Jones. The lead track and first single features David and baby brother Allen trading verses with their late, legendary sibling on a 1951 honky-tonk standard.

MJ LENDERMAN / “Wristwatch”
Writer: MJ Lenderman; Producer: Alex Farrar, MJ Lenderman; Label: Anti/Epitaph
– On Wednesday (Sept. 10), singer-songwriter Lenderman was named this year’s Americana Music Association’s Emerging Act. His latest single from his applauded Manning Fireworks collection is a folk-rock drawler with loads of his electric guitar, plus his plaintive vocalizing. Hearty sounding.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Two Duets Share Disc Of The Day

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We’re all over the musical map today in DISClaimer.

For your listening pleasure we have jazzy cabaret with Lisa Stewart, bluegrass message music via The Grascals/Dolly Parton collaboration, country rock from Karley Scott Collins, a folkie outing from the late John Prine, Latin romance with a Carin León & Kacey Musgraves duet, Jake Worthington’s hardcore honky-tonk and whatever-he-is Americana legend Todd Snider.

The Disc of the Day is a tie between two duets—the Carin León & Kacey Musgraves and the Dierks Bentley & The Band Loula collabs.

Give Texans Jerry DeLeon & Southbound a DISCovery Award.

KARLEY SCOTT COLLINS / “Easy to Leave”
Writers: Aaron Zuckerman/Karley Scott Collins/Nathan Chapman; Producers: Karley Scott Collins, Nathan Chapman; Label: Sony Music Nashville
– The grit and velvet in her voice are super compelling. She’s a multi-hyphenate who plays and writes as well as she sings. Collins and Nathan Chapman play all the instruments and co-produce her sounds. Her Flight Risk album is due Sept. 26. Sounds like it will be fierce.

THE GRASCALS & DOLLY PARTON / “Broken Angels”
Writers: Dolly Parton/Jamie Johnson; Producer: Kent Wells; Label: Billy Blue Records
– “One day at a time,” rings out as the message on this exquisite ballad about addiction and recovery. The three-part vocal harmonies lift this to hillbilly heaven.

K. MICHELLE / “Jack Daniel’s”
Writers: ERNEST/Jordan Dozzi/Kimberly Michelle Pate/Rocky Block; Producers: Jeff Balding, Kristian Bush; Label: BBR Music Group
– In this barroom wailer, she avers that Jack is the only man she trusts. Lotsa guitar and percussion in the busy production. She’s a former pop hit maker who sounds completely at home in country music.

DIERKS BENTLEY & THE BAND LOULA / “Get Down on Your Knees and Pray”
Writer: Bill Monroe; Producer: Ben Helson; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Swampy and moody and totally cool. Deep twang guitar, multi-part harmonies, searing fiddle and bluesy mandolin cut through a swirling cloud of haunting atmosphere. Fabulous listening. It’s recorded live, and it drives the audience absolutely wild. Me, too.

JAKE WORTHINGTON / “When I Write the Song”
Writer: Jake Worthington; Producers: Chuck Ainlay, Jon Randall; Label: Big Loud Texas
– Worthington’s sophomore album drops next week. Its title tune is a honky-tonk ballad that he invests with heart and a beautifully phrased, bent-note vocal. This Texas traditionalist is “keeping it country,” and I’m all ears. Bravo.

EMILY ANN ROBERTS / “Jack & Jill Daniel’s”
Writers: Emily Ann Roberts/Jeremy Spillman/Ryan Beaver/Trent Willmon; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS/Sony Music Nashville
– Very clever. It has a “Jack and Jill” plotline, but with a load of extra information. Like, Jack drinks because Jill broke his heart. The sunny mood and sweetly bopping track support a shiny-bright vocal performance. Nicely done. Roberts successfully competed on The Voice when she was still in high school. This single marks her Sony debut.

JOHN PRINE / “Ain’t Hurtin’ Nobody”
Writer: John Prine; Producer: Howie Epstein; Label: Oh Boy Records
– This is an alternative performance of Prine’s 1995 favorite, and it’s even cooler than the jaunty original. It lopes along with the wry attitude and easy-going charm that endeared him to millions. You’ll find it on a new posthumous album that combines the original tracks of his Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings album with unearthed demos, previously unreleased tracks and alternative song versions. The whole thing is a 20-track masterpiece.

COLBIE CAILLAT & LEE BRICE / “Kinda Single”
Writers: Colbie Caillat/Eric Arjes/Jimmy Robbins/Lee Brice; Producers: Eric Arjes, Jimmy Robbins; Label: Blue Jean Baby Records
– A deliciously melodic, cocktail-lounge pickup tune, dressed up in hearty harmonies and layered production. Both artists sing their faces off on this rippling toe tapper that treats romance as revolving door of push and pull. A winner.

LISA STEWART & TOMMY EMMANUEL / “The Man You Are Today”
Writers: Lisa Stewart/Rodney Crowell/Tommy Emmanuel; Producer: Kevin McKendree; Label: Qualified Records
– Stewart adopts a classic chanteuse vibe on this jazzy outing enlivened by Emmanuel’s sterling guitar work. Bass player Casey Abrams and drummer Chester Thompson complete the trio lineup backing her on this playful lyric. Sultry, slinky and soothing.

CARIN LEÓN & KACEY MUSGRAVES / “Lost in Translation”
Writers: Amy Allen/Kacey Musgraves/Oscar Armando Diaz de Leon/Shane McAnally; Producers: Julian Bunetta, Matt Zara; Label: Socios Music
– Mexican-style instrumental flourishes embellish this lilting, lively duet that describes a romance that’s trying to navigate a language barrier. León’s rapid-fire Spanish delivery contrasts with Musgraves’ languid style beautifully, and he harmonizes with her with immense verve. Wonderfully refreshing…and sexy, too.

TODD SNIDER / “While We Still Have a Chance”
Writers: Chris Robinson/Todd Snider; Producers: Aaron Lee Tasjan, Joe Bisirri, Robbie Crowell; Label: Aimless Records
– Americana legend Snider croaks out this plea for romantic reconciliation at a drawled, deliberately slow pace. The stripped-down, minimalist accompaniment wisely stays out of the way of his gripping, tuneless delivery. It’s an advance track from a collection titled High, Lonesome and Then Some, due for release on Oct. 17. I remain a fan.

RONNIE McDOWELL, RODNEY COLLINS & JOHNNY RODRIGUEZ / “Thing About Texas”
Writer: Ronnie McDowell; Producers: Mike Schrimpf, Ronnie McDowell; Label: Lanier Records
– McDowell wrote and produced this. He kicks it off with a lead vocal backed by lilting twin fiddles, but then he steps back and lets Collins and the late Johnny Rodriguez take the vocal spotlight. The breezy ode to the Lone Star State was Rodriguez’s last studio performance, and the single is dedicated to him.

JERRY DeLEON & SOUTHBOUND / “Cold One”
Writers: Alyssa Micaela/Chris Rafetto/Jeff Middleton; Producers: Stormy Cooper, Will Braun; Label: Azteca Ranch Music
– Kick back, put your feet up, relax and treat yourself to a brew at the end of a hard-working day. It’s a simple idea, but DeLeon’s earnest delivery and Southbound’s country-rock chops make it sound uttering inviting. A late afternoon groove that goes down smooth, thank to these San Antonio talents.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Billy Currington Wins Disc Of The Day With ‘Enchanting’ Tune

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Billy Currington

Music veterans keep pace with the youngsters today in DISClaimer.

Little Anthony, Michael Martin Murphey, Eddy Raven and Jackson Browne are all on tap, matching their still-vital voices with another generation of music makers. Of the solo tracks, Kashus Culpepper, Dylan Marlowe and Dasha are stand outs.

The Disc of the Day belongs to Billy Currington.

Brendan Walter takes home a DisCovery Award.

BRENDAN WALTER / “Back on Deseret”
Writers: Brendan Walter/Colton Venner; Producer: Grady Smith; Label: Sony
– This is a highly attractive country rocker with a nostalgic lyric recalling the street he grew up on. Walter sings with earnest charm, and the track is delightfully punchy.

HARDY / “Bottomland”
Writers: Hunter Phelps/Jessie Jo Dillon/Michael Hardy/Smith Ahnquist/Zach Abend; Producer: Zach Abend; Label: Big Loud
– The ballad is starkly produced with a cool, funeral-parlor organ and extended a cappella vocal passages. The hook about being buried in his native soil is repeated a few too many times.

DELTONA / “Heartbreak Fix”
Writers: Allison Veltz Cruz/Caleb Miller/Chris Deaton/Jason Massey/Ned Abernathy; Producer: Jason Massey; Label: Capitol/The Core Records
– This is a trio comprised of Chris Deaton, Caleb Miller and Ned Abernathy. They met at a writers’ round at The Bluebird, but don’t listen for anything acoustic on this single. The sound is pop-country, electronically processed and auto tuned within an inch of its life.

STEVE MARTIN, ALISON BROWN & JACKSON BROWNE / “Dear Time”
Writers: Steve Martin/Alison Brown; Producers: Alison Brown, Garry West; Label: Compass
– Browne sings lead with Martin and Brown’s banjos providing rippling accompaniment and elegantly tasteful solos on this gentle, folkie song of memories. The Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna provides vocal harmonies.

DASHA / “Like It Like That”
Writers: Dasha/David Garcia/JKash/Gian Stone; Producers: avid Garcia, Gian Stone; Label: Warner
– This bops along like crazy with merry handclaps and beats dropping left and right. The sprightly tempo tune is all about s-e-x.

BILLY CURRINGTON / “One Thing I Ain’t Been”
Writers: Chase McDaniel, Johnny Clawson, Steve Moakler; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Label: MCA
– The groove is enchanting, a rolling ride on a calm sea of sound. Amid the swaying atmosphere is Currington’s softly yearning invitation to romance. Very listenable.

DYLAN MARLOWE / “Coming Home Tomorrow”
Writers: Joe Fox/Dylan Marlowe/Johnny Clawson; Producer: Joe Fox; Label: Sony
– He’s leaving the road behind to find heaven at home. The super energetic, country-rock production surrounds his delivery with fiery electric guitar work and furious drumming. Nice work.

SOUL CIRCUS COWBOYS & EDDY RAVEN / “I Got Mexico”
Writers: Frank J. Myers/Eddy Raven; Producer: Frank Myers; Label: SSC
– This is a breezy, rollicking update of the 1984 Raven hit. The veteran country star easily keeps up with the young country rockers, swapping hearty vocals and harmonies with lead singer Billy McKnight. Stay tuned with the uber cool guitar solo. Timeless. Recommended.

LITTLE ANTHONY & BROOKE MORIBER / “Hurts So Bad”
Writers: Bobby Hart/Teddy Randazzo/Bob Weinstein; Producer: Fred Mollin; Label: Reviver
– The track begins starkly with acoustic piano and Moriber’s lustrously aching soprano. The duet builds in intensity, much like the 1965 iconic pop original. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Little Anthony (Jerome Anthony Gourdine) still sounds amazing at age 85. Vocal powerhouse Brooke Moriber is a Broadway veteran (Les Miserables) who has become a country mainstay in New York City.

KASHUS CULPEPPER / “Believe”
Writers: Kashus Culpepper/Foy Vance; Producer: Brian Elmquist; Label: Big Loud
– Steeped in soul and recorded in Muscle Shoals, this is a stately anthem that reaches for faith and inspiration. Love the ghostly angelic background voices. Gripping listening.

CODY JOHNSON & MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY / “Wildfire”
Writers: Larry Cansler/Michael Martin Murphey; Producers: Trent Willmon & Ryan Murphey; Label: MMM
– What’s not to love? A brilliant, classic song. A country superstar. A match made in music marketing heaven.

AMANDA SHIRES / “Piece of Mind”
Writer: Amanda Shires; Producer: Lawrence Rothman; Label: ATO
– The multi-instrumentalist troubadour treads the line between rock and Americana in this dramatic outing. A grinding electric guitar and a deep-groove rhythm section thunder behind her light-soprano vocal.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Old Dominion Preview New Album With ‘Ridiculously Hooky’ Tune

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I hope you’re in a contemplative mood, because it looks like this is a country-ballad day here at DISClaimer.

Phil Vassar, Bernie Leadon, Preston Cooper and Ty Myers set the tone. Aaron Nunez, Romeo Vaughn, Ketch Secor, Priscilla Block and Asleep at the Wheel are somewhere in the middle with mid-tempo offerings.

Bucking the trend is our Disc of the Day, a wildly catchy, bopping tune from Old Dominion. Our DISCovery Award goes to the day’s finest honky-tonkin’ country rocker, “Hit By a Good Time” by Addis Luv.

ADIREN NUNEZ / “Wild”
Writers: Adrien Nunez/Mike Robinson/Nevin Sastry/Peter Fenn; Producers: Mike Robinson, Peter Fenn; Label: Warner Music Nashville/Warner Records
– Cool, anthem-like production with a full sound and mass chanting. Chugging beneath is an acoustic, strummy rhythm and rising above is his earnest tenor pondering his crazy personality. Impressive and different.

PRISCILLA BLOCK / “Couldn’t Care Less”
Writers: Alex Maxwell/Cole Taylor/Priscilla Block/Trannie Anderson; Producer: David Garcia; Label: MCA
– She pretends she is carefree, but she’s fragile and insecure inside. Block sings expressively, and the lyric is nicely crafted. I remain a huge fan.

TY MYERS / “Through a Screen”
Writer: Ty Myers; Producer: Brandon Hood; Label: RECORDS Nashville/Columbia 
– Here’s a young person’s view of romance today. Their relationship seems to occur exclusively online. He’s in love with her, and they’ve never met because the relationship is only “through a screen” of a phone. The ballad is produced with piano and orchestral backing.

PHIL VASSAR / “What It Means”
Writers: Dean Sams/Marty Dodson/Phil Vassar; Producer: Dean Sams; Label: PV
– Vassar had a near-death experience that transformed his outlook. When he came back to life, he had a lot of questions about mortality and existence. He has no answers. He only knows that from now on, he will live life to the fullest. The startling ballad’s production emphasizes his soulful singing and piano chops.

PRESTON COOPER / “Weak”
Writers: Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Lance Miller/Preston Cooper; Producer: Brett Warren; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– Cooper is a 22-year-old former mailman from Ohio. He’s also a helluva singer whose gritty wailing anchors this stately blues-ballad outing. This will wake you from slumbering through Music City’s dull parade of male country sound-alikes.

LYLE LOVETT & ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL / “Long Tall Texan”
Writer: Henry Strzelecki; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seifert; Label: Bismeaux Records
– Very amusing. Ray Benson plants tongue in cheek to deliver the cliche-packed Lone Star State lyric while Lyle Lovett provides a Greek chorus of commentary. A delightful disc. The new Wheel album, Riding High in Texas, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22)

RAELYNN / “Long Live Country Music”
Writers: Aaron Gillespie/Lauren Hungate/Racheal Lynn Davis; Producers: Aaron Gillespie, RaeLynn; Label: The Valory Music Co.
– This is a sprightly boot stomper that celebrates hard livin’ honky tonkin.’ Shout outs to Cash, Dolly and Jones sprinkle the lyric.

ROMEO VAUGHN / “Big Dreams From a Small Town”
Writers: Brandon Hartt/Romeo Vaughn; Producer: Ryan Rossebbo; Label: RV
– “I wanna be somewhere between Skynyrd and Willie,” he sings. The narrative song is an autobiography of his journey to making it in music. Electronic finger snaps, chiming guitars and an airy atmosphere are the production’s hallmarks. The video is due on Aug. 26, and it will reportedly flesh out some of the details of this Mexican-American’s story. He is a recovering alcoholic military veteran who was homeless until the Nashville nonprofit Matthew 25 gave him a second chance at life.

BERNIE LEADON / “Too Many Memories”
Writer: Bernie Leadon; Producer: Glyn Johns; Label: Straight Wire Records
– Leadon is a founding member of The Eagles and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It has been 21 years since this Nashvillian has released a solo album. Its single is a deliberately paced ballad of nostalgia. The video intercuts footage and stills of his days as an Eagle with a contemporary view of him playing in a simple studio setting. Leadon will be showcasing the rest of his new music during the Americana convention next month.

ADDIS LUV / “Hit By a Good Time”
Writers: Jim Brown/Terri Jo Box; Producer: none listed; Label: Angel Eyes Music
– Way cool. He can’t remember anything about last night, but his money’s all gone and he vaguely remembers an overtime Titans game and a mysterious woman whose name escapes him. It’s a snappy country rocker played and sung with enormous verve and heart. The singer is from Trinidad, but he “gets” country music. Big Time. Loved it so much I played it on repeat.

KETCH SECOR & MOLLY TUTTLE / “What Nashville Was”
Writers: Jody Stevens/Ketch Secor; Producers: Jody Stevens, Ketch Secor; Label: KS
– Old Crow Medicine Show frontman and “Wagon Wheel” co-writer Secor adopts a Woody Guthrie spoken/sung style on this meditation about the passage of time and the dramatic changes that have occurred in Music City. The track samples Dylan & Cash singing “Girl From the North Country,” particularly the line, “She once was a true love of mine.” Tuttle harmonizes on the sung choruses and carries the hook into the fade. This is wonderfully done, his best single to date. With its vintage footage, the video is cool, too. Secor will be the new host of the beloved PBS-TV series Tennessee Crossroads beginning next month.

OLD DOMINION / “Late Great Heartbreak”
Writers: Josh Osborne/Matthew Ramsey/Shane McAnally/Trevor Rosen; Producers: Old Dominion, Shane McAnally; Label: Columbia Nashville
– The much-awarded band’s much-anticipated new album, Barbara, drops tomorrow (Aug. 22). I expect it will be filled with wall-to-wall great songs, as usual. That’s certainly the case of its ridiculously hooky new single. It’s tuneful and bopping and utterly charming.