Casey James releases new single Fall Apart on iTunes

Columbia Nashville recording artist Casey James releases his eagerly awaited new single Fall Apart from his yet to be released sophomore album. Long time fans will remember Casey from his time on Season 9 of American Idol.

Co-written by Will Bowen and the duo Kingston (twin brothers Josh & Zach Carter). "Fall Apart" is a 6/8 time heartbreak ballad, and eschews much-maligned bro-country tropes to focus on the angst of not being able to avoid and ex while still aching from a break up.

"Fall Apart" will be Casey first single since 2013's "The Good Life" which didn't make much of a mark. But Casey does have the Top 20 Mediabase peaking "Let's Don't Call It A Night" and the #14 peaking "Crying On A Suitcase" as hits from his debut album, and the hope is that "Fall Apart" will return him to the Top 20 and enable to release his sophomore album via Columbia Nashville. There is no official add date for the song yet at radio, but SiriusXM The Highway is spinning the song - a smart way to build a little buzz and maybe get an early jump on sales for the single.

You can purchase Fall Apart on iTunes HERE.

Keep up to date with all things Casey James on his Official Website, Facebook,Twitter & Instagram.

Carrie Underwood releases inspirational song 'Something In The Water'

It may be hard to believe but it has almost been a decade since Carrie Underwood won season 4 of American Idol and the country superstar is celebrating with a best-of album, Carrie Underwood Greatest Hits: Decade #1 which will be released on December 9th. As well as a celebratory new single, Something In The Water, written by Underwood, Brett James & Chris DeStefano was officially released today (September 29th).

Underwood pulls out all her strongest, boldest notes for the religious anthem. Starting off with a round of banjos and slide guitars, "Something In The Water" builds to some of the greatest heights Underwood has reached to date, thanks to her powerhouse country croon and perhaps a little help from the Almighty.

Miles above the driving beat, Underwood sings about finding Jesus, finding light and getting stronger from the light and the water of baptism.

"Then somebody said what I was saying to you / Opened my eyes and told me the truth / Said, 'Just a little faith and it'll all get better' / I followed that preacher man down to the river / And now I'm changed / And now i'm stronger/ There must have been something in the water," she belts out in the inspirational chorus.

There's even a little Amazing Grace thrown in for good measure.

You can purchase Something In The Water on iTunes HERE

Follow Carrie on her social media sites:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

Top 15 Favorite Country Songs Right Now

I like a mixture of songs that are played on country radio, female songs that aren't played as much as they should be as well as songs that you don't hear unless you buy EP's & full albums. Here are my Top 15 favorites I listen to the most right now (in no particular order):

*CLICK ON SONG TITLE TO BE DIRECTED TO ITUNES*

1. Girl In Your Truck Song - Maggie Rose 

2. Five More Minutes - Ashley Gearing

3. Love You Like That - Canaan Smith

4. Young To See - Charlie Worsham

5. Missed The Exit - Colby Dee

6. Lonely Eyes - Chris Young

7. Hurricane - Dustin Lynch

8. Makin' This Boy Go Crazy - Dylan Scott

9. Down - The Henningsens (Not available on iTunes yet but is on YouTube)

10. Heaven - Jake Owen 

11. Lay Low - Josh Turner

12. Pull Me Back - Leah Turner

13. Mason Jar - Natalie Stovall And The Drive

14. Shining Now - Rachel Holder

15. Drink You Up - Sarah Davidson

Josh Turner Debuts New Song, 'Lay Low'

Josh Turner has released his new single, 'Lay Low' from his upcoming new album. The tune, written by Ross Copperman, Tony Martin and Mark Nesler, was one the country crooner knew he wanted to record the first time he heard it.

"[The song] painted a mental picture of our cabin and how secluded it is. It's where we go to get away from it all and reconnect with each other, to be reminded of what's most important, he tells Rolling Stone Country. "Laying low is something Jennifer and I love to do. We most always have to make the time to do it, because as you can imagine, we don't just have ample amounts of idle time."

With lines like, "I wanna drive until my cell phone/ Runs out of range and every bar is gone/ Cut through the woods another hundred miles/ I wanna hear raindrops falling down on an old tin roof/ Wanna find a front porch trail and chop up my traveling boots...Spend a few days together alone/ And just lay low," the song helped set the direction for his upcoming album which he admits was a difficult one to record.

"When it came time for this record, I didn't have a direction," Turner admits. "I didn't know what I was supposed to be writing towards. I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing or saying."

Thankfully, he said he was able to gain the clarity he needed to record the new set of tunes, which is his first release since his 2012 No.1 album Punching Bag."

"The basic standards i've always held for my music still apply to this record, but i've definitely taken a step back and looked at what today's environment is and how my music can fit into that," Turner notes. "I don't follow trends, and I've always followed my heart, whether my music fits in or not, but I want to be a player in the game and continue to evolve as an artist. This record, so far, has great musicianship, great melodies and lyrics that today's audience can relate to.

"I don't know if I've totally found the way to do it yet, but I definitely feel like i'm headed in the right direction," he adds. "This is gonna be a sweet record -- regardless of what happens once it gets out there -- because I've worked my butt off for this one."

It's a busy fall for the 36-year-old, in addition to welcoming his fourth child, Samuel Hawke Turner, into the world on Sept 4, Turner is also heading out on the road next month for a series of shows, including stops in North Dakota, Alabama and New Mexico, as well as a performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. See all of his upcoming shows here and download 'Lay Low' here.

Dylan Scott entertains enthusiastic crowd at Racine Party In The Park

You may or may not have heard of Sidewalk Records recording artist Dylan Scott who hails from Monroe, Louisiana but one thing is for certain, he is here to stay. With his smooth baritone vocals, relatable song lyrics, and a likability with fans, I have no doubt Dylan Scott will have a long and successful career. He currently has a 5 song self-titled EP available on iTunes which includes the first song he released to country radio "Makin' This Boy Go Crazy", as well as his current single at radio now titled "Mmm,Mmm,Mmm".

Last night, September 12th, I went to see Dylan for the first time with a few of my family members and we were all impressed with his entire show; vocals, stage presence and likeability. He has it all in my opinion to  be as successful as Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, etc. He brings tons of energy on stage and doesn't stand still for very long and interacts with the crowd quite a bit. He sings a wide variety of songs, from the ones he has written himself to cover songs of rap and traditional country songs such as Fishin' In The Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and When You Say Nothin' At All by Keith Whitley among others. One of the standout moments of the show was when his band left the stage and it was just him and an acoustic guitar for a few songs. In my book that is true talent. One of my favorite covers that he did other than the Keith Whitley song was Country Man by Luke Bryan. A few of my favorites of his original songs that he had written or co-written are Lay It On Me, Passenger Seat and Beer Buddies. I strongly encourage you to go see Dylan Scott live if you have the oppurtunity. He is a phenomenal performer and one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. After he performed he signed autographed and took pictures with anyone that wanted one. He recognized me from Twitter and meeting him in Nashville during the CMA Music Festival because I brought the picture of us for him to sign.

You can follow Dylan on his Official Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

Dylan Scott & Me

Tyler Barham releases lyric video for More Than A Cotton Dress

Tyler Barham enlisted fans to bring a personal touch to the lyric video for his current single, "More Than A Cotton Dress". Female followers were asked to tweet a selfie holding a sign describing one non-physical thing about themselves with the hash tag #morethanacottondress. Photo submissions came in from all over the country and even as far away as Australia, even garnering a selife from a US Olympian.

"This song is a necessary reminder and a beautiful reassurance that we are SO much more than a hairstyle and lipstick shade. We are brave and bold and silly and kind and loyal and quirky and intelligent and talented. The true test of beauty is not for a mirror to decide. It is the strength of the light from within--it is how willing we are to be our unique selves in a society of stereotypical expectations. So as you listen to the lyrics, think of a quality that defines the REAL you--a quality that you identify with most, a quality that has been your driving force, a quality that gives you purpose and passion. You are more than a pretty face and "a cotton dress", you are (insert wonderful quality here)." -Natasha Greene

You can check out Tyler's other original music available on iTunes now and well as keep in contact with Tyler through his social media sites: Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube as well as his website http://www.tylerbarham.com

Canaan Smith releases music video for Love You Like That

Mercury Records artist Canaan Smith releases the music video for his latest single Love You Like That. It is the follow up to his debut single We Got Us which was released in 2012. Canaan also co-wrote Love and Theft's first single Runaway. He was a part of the Country Deep Tour earlier this year with Jana Kramer & Austin Webb. He is currently in the studio working on his debut album. No release date has been announced yet.

Love You Like That is available for download on iTunes now! You can follow Canaan on his social media accounts: Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube

Q & A with Streamsound Records artist Austin Webb

First off I want to thank Austin for agreeing to do this interview and also Jeff from his record label for passing on the question to Austin. Austin grew up in the Greenville, South Carolina area and moved to Nashville in 2011. He is produced by Byron Gallimore who also produces Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Leann Womack among others and is the founder of the label Austin is signed to, Streamsound Records. His debut single Slip On By made it into the Top 40 on the charts. His current single is Raise 'Em Up which you can download on iTunes. I can say from personal experience there is not a more down to earth, humble, talented person than Austin, he is the entire package. If you have not seen him live or met him and have the oppurtunity don't pass it up. 

1. For fans that may not be introduced to you yet, give us an introduction on how you started your music career and were discovered.

I started writing when I was 9, started touring when I was 15, won a songwriting contest in 2011, moved to Nashville, and got a record deal in 2012.

2. For fans new to your music, how would you describe your sound?

Country Soul.

3. Were you surprised at the response and success of your second single at country radio, Slip On By, and how did you discover the song?

I'm humbled and grateful to have any of my music ever on country radio. "Slip On By" was a gift. I heard it on Christian radio and knew it was a great song that spoke to country music fans. That song certainly got me noticed a lot more in some circles. The next single is gonna be my breakthrough.

4. Who are a few of your musical influences? 

Kris Kristofferson, Elvis Presley, Vince Gill, Bob Dylan, and Billy Preston.

5. You have had the oppurtunity to play a lot of venues of various sizes; what venue(s) have been your favorite to play so far?

My favorite venues are the ones where the fans are closest to the stage. 

6. I know you are very active on your social media accounts, How important to your career do you think it is, and which one do you preference most? 

The country music fans are the most important things in the whole format. I'm grateful and lucky to be able to communicate and connect with my fans. It's very important.

7. What is your life motto? 

"There ain't but three things in this world worth a solitary dime...but old dogs and children and watermelon wine." My favorite lyric by Tom T. Hall.

8. What do you like to do in your free time?

I'm too young in this business to have free time. Any downtime I get, I'm working on how I can improve as an artist and human being.

9. What are a few of your future goals that you hope to accomplish in your career? 

I'd like to do a couple of separate duets with my favorite female singers - Cassadee Pope and Maggie Rose. I'd like to have a Top 10 single on the radio. Tour with Cassadee Pope and Tim McGraw. Own a winery and Basset hound farm.

10. What country artists do you currently listen to?

Right now I listen to everyone. I'm such a fan of all the new artists out there and feel great to be a part of this class. I like Charlie Worsham, Natalie Stovall and The Drive, Drake White, Leah Turner, Lindsey Ell, Maggie Rose. I can't wait to hear them on the radio regularly alongside the talented superstars like Luke, Tim, and Aldean. 

11. I know you are working on your debut album; can you say what the status of that is and if there is a possible release date?

I've recorded fifteen songs, had one Top 40 single, and I'm ready to release my new one soon! I believe my debut album will follow after this next single!

Official Website

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube

Instagram

Highway Run release debut EP 'Dust That Record Off'

Newcomers Highway Run made up of Brandon Ray & Alyssa Claar release debut EP Dust That Record Off exclusively to iTunes. The influences and experiences of both Alyssa Claar and Brandon Ray's singing, songwriting, and performing fall between pretty much any genre you can think of in music today, bluegrass, rock, pop, country, etc. Packed with power and sensitivity, wit and excitement, emotion and a connection unlike their peers, Highway Run fills a room and concert with memories and catchy tunes.

Ray's songwriting was recognized immediately by powerhouse company, Horipro Entertainment, who signed him to a publishing contract. Shortly after, he received and signed a production deal with Freeway Creative Group to record his first EP. His original songs have been co-written with legends like Dean Dillon and Hillary Lindsey. His catalog continued to grow in popularity with songs like "Summer Thing" and "21 Tonight" that easily became fan favorites. Brandon continues to record and is amping up the game by combining his efforts with Alyssa Claar. As a regular performer at Nashville's infamous The Stage, she learned to use her theatrical vocal skills to really reign in the crowd and give them a show that lasts. She has performed with Rascal Flatts Lynyrd Skynyrd, Poison, Trick Pony and Seether to name a few. She has proven to successfully bridge the gap of rock and country. The power of Highway Run is non-sensical powerful, yet humble performances the two individuals come together in to unite.

On a personal level sometimes I have trouble adjusting to the fact that country music as a genre isn't what is used to be sound wise but after my first listen to Highway Run I was a fan. Both of their voices sound so in sync with one another and fit perfectly together. I definitely recommend checking out the EP on iTunes and don't forget to write a review and rate it to help the chart position. I will post links below of where to keep in contact with Highway Run on their social media sites.

Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube