Author: Lauren Zimmerman

4X AMA winner Kane Brown released his seven-song collection entitled Mixtape Vol. 1 on RCA Nashville/Zone 4 today. Listen HERE.

The new EP includes four critically-acclaimed tracks that Brown has released since the start of 2020, along with three previously unreleased songs. Evening Star praised the release as a batch of “immediately memorable” songs, calling Brown a “new kind of star.” Brown co-wrote each selection on Mixtape Vol. 1, his first multi-song project since his Platinum-certified Billboard 200 chart-topping Experiment arrived in November 2018. 

The 26-year-old singer-songwriter’s EP leads with his two current singles, the Top 10-and-climbing country smash, “Cool Again,” and Brown’s recently-released Top 40 hit, “Be Like That,” a collaboration with Swae Lee and Khalid. “Cool Again,” which Billboard named “song of the summer,” was the most-added country song its initial week of release with a career-high 103 stations onboard, and has become Brown’s fastest rising single to date. And further increasing his career benchmarks, the entertainer achieved his biggest first week launch at Top 40 Radio when “Be Like That” was No. 1 most added with 103 stations.

Also included on the seven-song set which exemplifies Brown’s “willingness to stretch boundaries and highly personal storytelling” (TIME) is his duet with John Legend, “Last Time I Say Sorry.” Of the song the two co-wrote, People commented, “John Legend and Kane Brown are a musical force to be reckoned with.” In April, shortly after the track’s release, Brown and Legend made their national television performance debut of “Last Time I Say Sorry” on the CBS primetime special, “ACM Presents: Our Country.” Click HERE to watch.

The Mixtape Vol. 1 selection “Worldwide Beautiful” was originally released on June 4, two days after the music industry’s sector-wide Blackout Tuesday. The ballad echoed with a message of acceptance and global peace, and it benefits Boys and Girls Club of America to advocate for justice and equality. Brown made the national television debut of “Worldwide Beautiful” at the 2020 BET Awards alongside Grammy-nominated gospel singer, Jonathan McReynolds. Click HERE to watch.

“Worship You,” “BFE” and “Didn’t Know What Love Was” round out Kane Brown’s new EP. The three new tracks offer another glimpse into the global entertainer’s singularly progressive sound and style, which Rolling Stone recently praised as a balance of “pop-leaning radio country, Randy Travis-inspired Nineties stylings, and pop-dominant R&B,” as he continues to shape the next generation of country music.

KANE BROWN’S MIXTAPE VOL. 1 TRACK LISTING:

1. “Cool Again” –  Songwriters: Kane Brown, Josh Hoge, Matt McGinn and Lindsay Rimes;Producer: Dann Huff and Lindsay Rimes

2. “Be Like That (feat. Swae Lee and Khalid)”- Songwriters: Kane Brown, Khalif Brown, Alexander “Eskeerdo” Izquierdo, Khalid Robinson, Ryan Vojtesak and Mike Will; Producer:Charlie Handsome

3. “Worship You”- Songwriters: Kane Brown, Alexander Izquierdo, Ryan Vojtesak and Matt McGinn; Producer: Dann Huff

4. “BFE” – Songwriters: Kane Brown, Sam Ellis, Matt McGinn, Taylor Phillips and Will Weatherly; Producer: Dann Huff

5. “Didn’t Know What Love Was” – Songwriters: Kane Brown, Shy Carter, Matt McGinn and Lindsay Rimes; Producer: Dann Huff and Lindsay Rimes

6. “Last Time I Say Sorry (with John Legend)” – Songwriters: John Stephens, Kane Brown, Matt McGinn and Andrew Goldstein; Producer:  Andrew Goldstein

7. “Worldwide Beautiful” – Songwriters: Kane Brown, Shy Carter, Ryan Hurd and Jordan Schmidt; Producer: Dann Huff

Multi-platinum, 4X AMA winner Kane Brown drops the track and music video of “Cool Again (feat. Nelly)” today. This new version of Brown’s critically-acclaimed Top 10 and climbing radio hit, “Cool Again,” features Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Nelly delivering a melodic rap verse and background vocals. Hear the track or  watch the video now.

With a career-high 103 opening-week stations onboard, Kane Brown’s “Cool Again” impacted country radio on April 23 and was that week’s most-added song. Also a career benchmark, the rise of “Cool Again” on Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase airplay charts is Brown’s fastest to date.

Billboard praised the single, claiming it “will be a sure contender for song of the summer,” with iHeartRadio adding, “Kane was cool before and is back and cooler than ever with his new cold shoulder country bop.” E! News commented, “The country crooner continues his genre exploration with this new single about longing for a lost love that finds him singing over a breezy dance beat. The wistful wishing for better days sure hits a little differently in the current climate…”

“Cool Again” was followed by Brown’s collaboration with superstars Khalid and Swae Lee, “Be Like That,” which was the No. 1 most-added song at Top 40 radio on July 14, becoming Brown and Khalid’s biggest first-week launch at the format. The track continues to climb Billboard’s Pop Songs and Adult Top 40 charts.

Anchored in its longstanding belief that ‘it’s not about what you have, but about what you give,’ Crown Royal is giving back to support American heroes who are serving on the frontlines and minority veterans in their fight for social justice. The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project is enlisting the help of award-winning, multi-platinum country music artist Kane Brown and a team of veteran singer-songwriters to remix his number one single “Homesick,” launching on the one-year anniversary of the song’s original release date.  

For every stream of “Homesick (Veterans Version)” The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project will pack 1 bag to be donated as a care package to non-profit Packages From Home as part of the brand’s goal of one million bags by the end of 2020, and will donate $1 to community-based 501(c)3 organization Minority Veterans of America, up to $100,000. Crown Royal and Kane Brown are committed to supporting the American heroes who have generously served our country during these unprecedented times, including frontline and essential workers, first responders, healthcare workers, active-duty military servicemembers and those who are fighting for social justice in the minority veteran community.
 Originally written by Brown, “Homesick” was dedicated to members of the military. The “Homesick (Veterans Version)” track, available on streaming services on August 5th, is a reimagined ballad featuring the vocals of veterans Generald Wilson, Retired Petty Officer First Class, U.S. Navy; J.W. Cortés, Retired Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marines; and Sal Gonzalez, Retired Lance Corporal, U.S. Marines. It is available to stream HERE.

“I’m honored to partner with The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project and release ‘Homesick (Veterans Version)’ in recognition of the American servicemen and women who have given so generously during this difficult time,” said Kane Brown. “I also recognize the incredible importance of acknowledging the service our minority veterans have made for this country. My hope is this remix shines a light of hope and generosity, to uplift our heroes during this time.”

“As a veteran, it means so much to work with a brand that has a long history of supporting service men and women,” said J.W. Cortés. “I want this remix to serve as an anthem for all American heroes as we continue to work together for a better tomorrow.”
“Our iconic purple bag is a symbol of generosity and we’re proud that The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project can help give back to those who have given so much of themselves,” said Sophie Kelly, SVP, Whiskies, Diageo NA. “We’re so grateful for the support of Kane and our veteran partners, as well as Packages from Home and Minority Veterans of America, as we continue to give back to those who protect and serve our country.”

While life looks different today than it did before, Crown Royal hopes you raise a glass at home while listening to the “Homesick (Veterans Version).” As always, please drink responsibly. 

Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville rising artist Drew Green premieres his debut music video, “Right Where I Be,” today. Directed by Dustin Haney (Jimmie Allen, Brantley Gilbert), the clip co-stars Drew performing on a truck bed in an off-road setting and female lead Danielle Maltby wading barefoot through a nearby creek. Maltby appeared in the 2017 season of ABC’s The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise. Watch it HERE . 

“Right Where I Be,” which arrived July 10 as Green’s second release through Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville, has been received with critical acclaim. Sounds Like Nashville commented, “the track is a fitting club/dance floor country-fied anthem, accompanied by infectious synth-pop.”

Drew Green also earned praise for his debut track, “Little More Be Alright,” which dropped June 11. MusicRow named the song a “DISCovery Award” winner, describing it as “a terrific fusion of a just-folks vocal, a supremely country lyric and an echoey pop production.” Journalist Robert K. Oermann went on to say, “I dig [Green], and I absolutely love the song. Stupendous work all around.”

As a McMinnville , Tennessee, native, Drew Green grew up just beyond earshot of Nashville’s storied country music industry. When he landed a gig as the singer for Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge house band, he began making trips to write and perform in the city. From there, he went on to become one of Music Row’s most prolific songwriters, signing a publishing agreement in November 2018 with Grammy-winning Brett James’ Cornman Music, a co-venture with Warner/Chappell Nashville. James is also Green’s manager. In 2019, Florida Georgia Line cut “Colorado,” which Green co-penned with Hunter Phelps and Michael Hardy (HARDY), for their No. 1 album, Can’t Say I Ain’t Country . After signing as a recording deal with Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville in June 2020, Drew dropped two critically-acclaimed singles: “Little More Be Alright” and “Right Where I Be.” With more new music on the way, the songwriter is poised to launch an equally fruitful artist career.

For further info on Drew Green, visit www.drewgreen.com

Country music global superstar Brad Paisley has just released his energetic fast paced video for his current single “No I In Beer,” which has become a fan favorite during quarantine. So, how do you record a music video during an international pandemic? You ask for a little help from your friends. Performing with Paisley are Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell, Clayton Kershaw, Peyton Manning, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood with numerous other friends making guest appearances. View the video HERE.

When Paisley asked fans to help him out video submissions came pouring in from 39 countries. Included in the video are fans singing along to “No I In Beer,” hilarious and impressive footage of the social phenomenon beersketball, various zoom crashes Paisley has done the last few months from birthday parties, cancer free celebrations, happy hours, nurse meetings, etc…, news footage, The Beer Guys from Rochester, NY area, and some amazing guitar players from around the world.  Over 225 people are part of the final video that Paisley edited himself. It truly is a global video with a lighthearted international message of togetherness.

ACM, CMA and CMT Award-winning artist Luke Combs makes history once again this week as the first artist ever to have their first two studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart—breaking Taylor Swift’s previously held record at 24 weeks. The achievement comes as his acclaimed global No. 1 record, What You See Is What You Get, once again tops the chart this week, while his 2017 debut, This One’s For You , has spent 50 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1—tying the record for the longest reign atop the chart with Shania Twain’s Come On Over in 1997. 

This accomplishment continues a series of groundbreaking and historic years for Combs, who is nominated in three categories at the 55th ACM Awards: Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for What You See Is What You Get. In celebration of the achievements, Combs will return to “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” this Thursday, July 16 performing his current single, “Lovin’ On You,” which is already top 20 and rising at country radio. 

What You See Is What You Get—out now on River House Artists/Columbia Nashville (stream/purchase here )— debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart this past November with 172,000 equivalent units sold and also enjoyed the largest streaming week ever for a country album with 74 million on-demand streams. It also achieved the biggest first week of album streams ever for a country artist on Apple Music and was the first country album ever to hit No. 1 on the platform’s U.S. overall albums chart, while also setting a new global record for first-week streams for a country album at Spotify and breaking the Amazon Music record for more first-week streams than any other country album debut. Continuing his record-breaking streak at country radio, Combs last single, “Does To Me” featuring Eric Church, recently spent two weeks at No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase Country Aircheck charts making it his eighth-consecutive No. 1 single—a first on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. 

Produced by Scott Moffatt, What You See Is What You Get features 17 songs including the five tracks previously released via The Prequel EP last summer. The EP debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with all five tracks charting on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Top 25—a feat not accomplished by any artist in 60 years since Johnny Cash in 1959. Adding to his landmark year, Combs’ debut album, This One’s For You , was recently certified RIAA Triple Platinum. The album was also the most-streamed country album of 2019. Moreover, several of Combs’ songs have also received RIAA certifications: 4x Platinum “Beautiful Crazy,” 4x Platinum “When It Rains It Pours,” 2x Platinum “She Got The Best of Me” and Platinum “Must’ve Never Met You.”

This past weekend country superstar Brad Paisley performed with his full tour set up for his first in-person live music concert since mid March. He headlined the first ever Live Nation U.S. drive-in concert series, Live From the Drive In, and sold-out all three stops, St. Louis, Nashville and Indianapolis. The 90 minute concert was filled with career hits such as “Mud on the Tires,” “American Saturday Night,” “Then,” I’m Still A Guy,” “Ticks,” as well as his current single and fan favorite, “No I In Beer.”

From the stage Paisley said, “It’s not lost on us how big a blessing it is to play music in these times. Thank you so much for giving us this memory tonight. I hope we’ve given you a memory too. You were amazing!”

On Paisley’s socials he posted a recap video with this message, “This was our weekend. The back row of cars was over a quarter mile away, but somehow I’ve never felt closer to an audience. Everyone went the extra mile to make this work, and somehow, safely, we played live music again. Thank you St Louis, Nashville, and Indy. These are the moments we will never forget. View HERE.

The Nashville performance from Nissan Stadium parking lot was live streamed on Paisley’s Facebook page and has garnered over 640,000 views, so far and can be watched HERE.  While the Facebook live was free for fans to watch, they had the option to donate to The Store, a nonprofit free-referral based Nashville grocery store co-founded by Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. During the livestream fans donated over $25,000.

Live Nation reimagined the live music experience during a time of social distancing by allowing fans to enjoy concerts in a one-of-a-kind drive-in setting from their own private tailgating zones next to their cars. Concert-goers went all out to make the experience their own with vintage cars, yard games, chairs and plenty of food and drinks. The main focus for the weekend was social distancing, and Live Nation worked closely with local officials and health experts to carefully plan all aspects, from the layout to sanitation and everything in between to ensure everyone’s safety. Speakers blasted the live music across the parking lots and huge video walls were scattered so guests could have a visual on the performers.

Sony Music Nashville/Villa 40 recording artist Tyler Booth’s autobiographical new track “In God and Trucks We Trust” is out now. Written by Booth, Randy Montana, and long-time collaborator Phil O’Donnell, the song illustrates the hard-working, faith-filled spirit Booth relates to from growing up in a small town in Southeastern, Kentucky. Listen here.  

“When we wrote ‘In God and Trucks We Trust,’ I’d just gotten back from being on the road with Dwight Yoakam,” said Booth. “While on the road, I recall looking out the window of the sprinter van and seeing a dusty tractor out in the middle of a field somewhere in Iowa and thinking, ‘Man, they have to bust their butts for a living here too.’ To me it’s a story about how hard work, sacrifice, and the love of one another and God makes us stronger. It’s about the simple things in life that we do every day that make us a community. It’s about me, who I am, and why I am the way I am.”

“In God and Trucks We Trust” follows Booth’s debut tracks “Long Comes A Girl,” “Where The Livin’ Is,” and “Half A Mind To Go Crazy,” all of which highlight his smooth baritone vocals. 

Villa 40/Sony Music Nashville artist Drew Green released “Right Where I Be” today. He wrote the track, built on a propulsive beat with a soaring hook, alongside celebrated producer Mark Trussell and Zach Dyer. 

“I’ve had that title for a while,” Drew says of “Right Where I Be.” “I always knew there was something there. It’s about living in the moment, and not taking anything for granted. Once we got the idea out and I sang the chorus, it came together almost immediately.”

“Right Where I Be” follows Drew’s introductory single, “Little More Be Alright,” which arrived on June 26 and has already amassed over a million on-demand streams. Since its release, it has been critically praised by outlets including American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, Music Row, and NY Country Swag, who commented: “Green takes you through a life where a little more money, a little more time off, a little more family, and finally, a little more time with his father would be alright.”