Sometimes it takes a few listens before you can really start liking an album, but Adam Hambrick's Wheels or Wings is one of those rarities that you will enjoy immediately.

Hambrick, a country songwriter with Sony/ATV and RED Creative group, has spent the past two years living in Nashville and writing every day for other artists (including the Justin Moore/Miranda Lambert duet “Old Habits”). On September 30th, he will release his debut, Wheels or Wings, a six song EP. The project, produced by Jeremy Stover (Justin Moore, Drake White, Jack Ingram) and Andrew DeRoberts, showcases his songwriting and demonstrates that he is more than ready to be an artist in his own right.

The tracks on Wheels or Wings, highlighted by Hambrick's strong songwriting, are largely about love and relationships, those starting out and those ending. Hambrick's highly relatable story songs paint clear, detailed pictures whether the song is about lost love ("Til Lonely Runs Out" and "Table For One") or new beginnings ("Places"). The banjo infused "My Home," in which he compares the love of a woman to a hometown, is a radio ready sure thing. 

Throughout the EP, Hambrick melds modern with traditional touches into his own unique style while singing in a clear, familiar voice. Mark September 30th down on the calendar and be sure to pick up Wheels or Wings.

For more information visit his official website

Written in a week and recorded in one day, Erich McMann released his first solo country album, The Last American Songbook, independently in 2013. 


The album, an “audio snapshot of America, its people, music and culture," definitely has a classic country sound filled with featured instruments that you will be happy to hear like fiddle, pedal steel, dobro and harmonica. Those instruments bring to life his influences of Americana, folk, honky tonk, traditional country, swing and even the music of the 1950s ("I Don't Need No Woman"). The ten tracks touch on the patriotic (“The Red, White and Blue”), the road (“Redneck Hippie 2012”), and celebrate life in the country (“Back on The Farm”). 


The real standouts are “My Heart Pounds When I See Your Face,” which is made for two steppin', and “Keep Me Loving You,” which was nominated for the 2013 Song of the Year Award by the Academy of Western Recording Artists. Definitely give them a listen.

“Storm Breaking” marks a return to US radio for London Irish based brothers, Adrian (guitar & vocals), Chris (bass & drums) & Melvin Duffy (pedal steel, slide guitars & vocals), prior to the release of their forthcoming album in 2015. 

The brothers are especially proud to have their uncles, Ray and Leo Duffy (mandolin and fiddle), Grand Ole Opry performers themselves who have toured with Charley Pride and supported Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash to name a few, provide additional musical input on this song.

"Storm Breaking" is the follow up to their recent single "Someone Like You," which spent nine weeks on Ireland's national radio playlist as well as thousands of spins on US radio. "Storm Breaking," a stirring ballad with lovely harmonies, tells the story of a couple contemplating the fate of their relationship comparing a willingness to give it another try to a storm breaking "so we don't have to part." The artwork perfectly depicts the overall atmosphere the production and vocals paint for the song. You can clearly see a couple at a crossroads, standing on that pier as the waves crash, wondering if the storm is coming or it will pass.

Picking up airplay entries on both the AMA Americana (#73) & MusicRow CountryBreakout (#130) charts, with Nashville’s Robert Oermann (MusicRow DISClaimer) stating “this defines feel good music,” Adrian Duffy & The Mayo Brothers are a group that you should add to your musical "family."

For more information: www.adrianduffy.com 

Not even a year out since his last album, Never Give In, Will Hoge returns with new music. His latest release, from an upcoming project, is "Middle of America." 
The song is a rock and roll ode to small town America and the everyman and everywoman who live there. Written by Hoge, along with Jessi Alexander and Tommy Lee James, "Middle of America" is a highly relatable tune that reflects many a person's upbringing and highlights the fact that many of us are chasing our dreams and "trying to get by" in life, mistakes and all.
After an acoustic introduction, Will's distinct vocals are supported by piano, guitar, drums and....hand claps (as I have said before, who doesn't love those!). The melody and lyrics paint a clear picture of small town life, a picture that might even include Will and his band playing this song in a club somewhere, chasing their dreams too.

"We're lettin' our freedom ring
Chasin' these small town dreams
Doin' what our parents did
Watchin' them shake their heads
Thinkin' we've all gone crazy lately
But we know it'll be alright
It's just another night in the middle of America"

Click the link below to purchase the single

I have enjoyed every single song I have heard from Joel Crouse and his newest, "Don't Tell Me," is no exception. The song, which he co-wrote with James Dean Hicks and Jamie Houston, is a plea to his girl to take him back. She can tell him that he may be a "no good thoughtless jerk", (or any other name for that matter), but he just doesn't want to hear that she doesn't love him anymore. 

While we are still hearing a lot of the same themes in the songs on country radio, Joel refreshingly makes his own path. The youthful, up tempo song has a rollicking throwback feel, yet is also current. He sings with confidence while electric guitar and piano make that request to "open the door" feel exuberant.

"Your door is locked girl and I deserve it
I knocked and knocked til my hand is hurting sore
It's just a quarter to four
I'm more than late by eight little hours
But I got a handful of thirsty flowers now
Baby can we talk it out."

"Don't Tell Me" was featured on the CW's Hart of Dixie and is on Joel's album Even The River Runs which was released on August 19th. For more information visit here.

J. Michael Harter, former member of the brother-sister trio, The Harters, is in the midst of launching his career as a solo artist with his debut single, “Holy Cowgirl.” The single is Harter’s first release from his forthcoming EP, Ride On, which will be released on Sept 30, 2014.

J. Michael Harter, Scott Harter, Earl Bud Lee, Scott Laurent, and Bruce Wallace co-wrote the up-tempo song during a songwriting retreat in Alaska. J. Michael commented about the day the song came to life, “I had the title in my phone for years and often brought the idea up when I’d do co-writes, but I had a hard time getting people to understand where I was going with it. While brainstorming for ideas with my co-writers at our retreat in Alaska, I thought, what the heck maybe they would get it. At first when I said the title, they were all silent, pondering what I’d just said. Scott Laurent laughed and said, ‘You mean like a really religious Cowgirl?’ I said no man, but that’s funny! I mean like you see a woman all dolled up in tight jeans and boots and you think, Holy Cow Girl!!! At that moment, Bruce Wallace started playing that very infectious guitar hook and the song came to life.”

Lyrically "Holy Cowgirl" contains much of what we continue to hear on the radio. Sonically, the song is heavy on electric guitar with an up tempo driving beat that should make dancers everywhere happy. 

“The boys been checkin’ you out all night
Looks like they’re in for a hell of a fight
Holy cowgirl
Where you been all my life
Holy cowgirl
You’re doing everything right
Rockin’ them jeans yeah ain’t nothing like I’ve ever seen
Struttin’ round like a cowboy’s dream
Holy cowgirl”

Mr. Harter has said that with his new music “I am striving to be part of the pendulum swinging the other way to lyrically driven songs that would make you cry, laugh, or make you remember something that touches your heart.” I myself look forward to hearing those lyrically driven songs on the EP which he says contains “some of the most special and refreshing music” that he has ever written.

Listen to the single here

On July 17th, Glasgow born Emma Jane released her brand new album Workhorse. The album consists of seven solid tracks, including the gem "Run." 

"Carter Cash" finds her bluesy vocals perfectly paired with a classic country melody and story: wanting a love like that classic couple. "Oh and I’ve got a dream & it all starts with you/So wrap your arms around me/Let’s make this night last & I’ll be your June Carter & you can be my Johnny Cash." 

"Old and Gray," a lovely duet with Sean Kennedy, may just be my favorite track on the album. Their voices truly compliment one another on a song about lasting love. "Oh and time kept moving faster than we knew, oh and everyday my heart still wakes holding you/Now and forever, now and forever, now."

"Unforgiven" is a haunting ballad, while the cadence of "Tunnels" paints the picture of someone travelling away from, or to, love. "Heading down the highway the headlights they blind my eyes, looking for the answers but all I find is bitter lies/Foundations they turn to dust, lost in love and lust."

"Delicate Minds," a pop tinged song about a relationship that isn't giving her what she needs and "Hold On," reminiscent of a southern spiritual, round out the album.

Workhorse is a solid album, highlighted by Emma Jane's powerful, confident and emotive vocals. I encourage you to give a listen.

http://www.emmajaneofficial.com  
http://www.facebook.com/emmajaneofficial
http://www.twitter.com/emmajanetweets

I was first introduced the the Cadillac Three in 2012 when Dierks Bentley had them (as The Cadillac Black, one of their previous incarnations) opening select dates of his tour. Their dirty, gritty sound, as well as Jaren's half mumbled vocals, was like nothing I had heard before. My initial "what in the h-- is this" quickly turned into "this is good music" after their first song. 

The trio, comprised of Jaren Johnston, Kelby Ray and Neil Mason, stay true to their unique brand of "country fuzz" on their latest single "Party Like You." The song, written by Jaren along with Jon Nite and Jimmy Robbins, lyrically doesn't offer much that you haven't heard before: there's a girl that has him "buzzin'," and he knows he's lucky that she is giving him the time of day (er, night). What sets the song apart is the distinctive combination of Jaren's delivery (especially the rapid fire chorus) meshed with the thumping drums and driving guitar that'll have you "rockin' and rollin'".

"You got me rockin', rollin', like New Orleans
Cut off blues like damn you know it
Little bit of drink, little wink wink
Tell me what you think
I've been lookin' for a party like you
You get dancing hearts get stolen
Love the way the night is goin'
Little bit of drink, little wink wink
Tell me what you think
I've been lookin' for a party like you"

Is "Party Like You" radio friendly? I honestly don't know, but I do know that it's a song you should definitely give a listen.
If you can catch them live, go. They're a band to which the phrase "melt your face off" actually applies.

"Party Like You" is available here.

4 Stars

Lucy Hale’s latest single, “Lie A Little Better,” from her album Road Between, is about a gal who cannot hide her feelings about a certain someone, even though it may be better for her heart if she did. Lucy’s vocals are clear and the melody is undeniably catchy, youthful and fun. However, a little bit of banjo here and there does not a country song make. "Lie A Little Better" is most definitely a pop song (and not a bad one), and since much of country radio is these days, it should fit right in and please the masses.

“The truth is I’m falling to pieces
Anytime that you’re around
Trouble is the truth keeps slipping out
Whoa
                                                                   Can’t seem to hide what I’m feelin’
                                                                   Can’t believe what I’m saying out loud
                                                                   Truth is there’s no turning back now
                                                                    I guess I should learned how to lie a little better”

3 Stars

The single impacts radio July 21st.

Back to back Carolina Music Awards Country Group of the Year, Dixie Still, released their album, Rumor, on August 1, 2013. The album was produced by seven time Grammy winner Mark Fain and features some of Nashville’s finest musicians playing on the thirteen tracks.

The songs on Rumor mix country with a bit of rock all the while showcasing the trio’s tight harmonies. The opening track, “Dark Horse” throws you for a loop as the introduction sets you up for a ballad but instead, the song turns into a rocker about going out in the world and doing "what you want to do….win it all when you ain’t got nothin’, nothin’ to lose." Other songs on Rumor deal with familiar topics such as young love (“Summer of 17”), and relationships (“Close That Door,” “Getting Ready to Rain”). From the ballads to the more up tempo tracks, their voices are clear, easy to listen to and complement one another well on tracks such as “Even Now” and "I Fell for Memphis."

For more information visit their official website.