Tag: track premiere

LISTEN: Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, “Step Out in the Sunshine”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Step Out in the Sunshine”
Album: Pages In Your Hand
Release Date: October 6, 2023
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “Ralph Stanley’s early 1970s Clinch Mountain Boys lineup of Roy Lee Centers, Jack Cooke, Curly Ray Cline, Keith Whitley, and Ricky Skaggs was a golden era for his band, in my opinion, and in my mid-teens their music was a major influence on me as I was just getting serious about playing music. The gospel album they did, Cry From the Cross, was and remains my favorite bluegrass gospel album of all time. It inspired my lead singing and guitar playing, and without consciously trying to do it, I learned to sing the baritone harmony part from Jack Cooke.

“I still have and cherish the original LP that I bought when I was around 15, though the jacket is a little battered and my name is written in brown magic marker on the back — because, you know, other kids in high school were likely to try to steal my Ralph Stanley records. I wanted to record a song from the album that I hadn’t heard anyone else do and that hadn’t become a Ralph Stanley standard, and so I was drawn to ‘Step Out in the Sunshine.’ We rearranged it slightly to fit our sound but it remains a tribute to the Stanley original.” – Chris Jones

Track Credits:
Chris Jones – acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Marshall Wilborn – bass
Mark Stoffel – mandolin, harmony vocal
Grace van’t Hof – banjo, harmony vocal

Photo Credit: Sandlin Gaither

LISTEN: Arielle Silver, “Soft On the Shoulder”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Arielle Silver
Hometown: Finding the answer to that question has been a lifelong quest. My childhood was spent in Florida, NYC, and New Jersey. Boston raised me from late teens through most of my twenties, but I did a few stints in PA, TN, and NC. Something brought me to Los Angeles a while back, and it’s now been my hometown longer than anywhere else. I’m rather attached – and detached – from a lot of places, but I think I love LA and Boston the most.
Song: “Soft On the Shoulder”
Album: Watershed
Release Date: October 6, 2023

In Their Words: “Inspired by the Laurel Canyon music of the ’70s and the cultural activism that came about after the murder of George Floyd, ‘Soft On the Shoulder’ is a song largely about self-culpability. I was reflecting on the place of music amid cultural change and its place in political activism and social engagement. I was also thinking about the ways that I – as a white-presenting woman – have unwittingly participated in systemic wrongs. While initially inspired by thoughts sparked by the BLM movement, this song applies to any personal or cultural circumstance where we are asked to examine our long-held beliefs and consider another person’s perspective.

“Having grown up listening to records, cassettes, and CDs, I am very album-oriented. I felt that ‘Soft On The Shoulder,’ which opens the Watershed album with the words, ‘It starts with a witness…’ and is threaded with the mantra ‘love more, fear less,’ captures the compassion and reflective nature of this entire collection of songs.” – Arielle Silver

Photo Credit: Anabel DFlux

LISTEN: Charlotte Morris, “Wild Child”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Charlotte Morris
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; now Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Wild Child”
Album: Wild Child
Release Date: September 29, 2023

In Their Words: “I’ve never been a person who settles – I always find a reason to leave. I have big ambitions; I get anxious staying in one place for too long; I always feel the need to move onto the next job, the next relationship, the next city. Part of that is freeing – it allows me to see the world, try new things and challenge myself. But part of it is debilitating. Never staying in one situation for too long means never sitting with yourself or allowing yourself to grow in peace. I think that ‘Wild Child’ is a classic folk-country song that almost everyone can relate to at some point in their lives. Feeling drawn to one thing, but knowing that another option might be better for you; or perhaps, choosing between multiple amazing options, but knowing that ultimately you need to make a decision. It’s an experience that everyone has been through, and ‘Wild Child’ is an anthem for the folks with choice-paralysis and a fire in their feet.” – Charlotte Morris

Photo Credit: Cody Stallings

LISTEN: The HillBenders, “Take On The World (Give ‘Em Hell!)”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: The HillBenders
Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
Song: “Take On The World (Give ‘Em Hell!)”
Release Date: September 29, 2023

In Their Words: “‘Take On The World (Give ‘Em Hell!)’ embodies the age-old tale of a directionless, troubled soul. We’ve all been there in one way or another. Maybe doing things you ought not be doing just for the excitement of doing it. But then comes along someone that shows you how much more there is to life. It’s almost like you’ve turned into a completely different person after falling in love with them. Like you’re under some sort of spell of theirs. And all of a sudden, all that trouble doesn’t seem as fun anymore. How long it lasts is maybe for another song.” – Mark Cassidy, banjo

“The tune was recorded at Red Rock Studios in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, while having a rare day off on tour. Primarily used to record jazz music, the studio had a beautifully organic design nestled in the quiet rural countryside. We asked Jeremey Garrett (of the Infamous Stringdusters) if he would lay some fiddle down on the song and he cut some buttery tracks at his studio, including a twin fiddle part that made the final mix. Jeremy is a great cat and his involvement really elevated the song as a whole. Since adding our new drummer, John Anderson, we have explored all sorts of new musical possibilities — but it was nice to return to our bluegrass roots on this number.” – Jim Rea, guitar

Photo Credit: Robert Crook

LISTEN: Jesse Smathers, “Sing Darling Sing”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Jesse Smathers
Hometown: Floyd, Virginia
Song: “Sing Darling Sing”
Release Date: September 22, 2023

In Their Words: “I believe that simple melodies and simple stories relate across generations and all walks of life. That’s the true beauty of string music: its relatability. This song was composed with that aspiration.

“Being raised in piedmont North Carolina, family roots in Western Carolina, and now living in Southwest Virginia, string music always surrounded me and the tunes that always struck a chord were the fun melodic tunes, and happy songs. ‘Sing Darling Sing’ is just that, a happy tune with a loving story.

“I am so very proud of this recording, musically and personally, for it draws inspiration from my own marriage as well as relationship examples I see set by older generations. I hope the music and imagery takes the listener to a simpler and scenic time when life didn’t move as fast, and communication wasn’t at our fingertips. However, the young man in the tale is chomping at the bit to marry the girl of his dreams, the day can’t come quick enough and nothing’s gonna stop him!” – Jesse Smathers

Track Credits: 
Jesse Smathers – Guitar/ Lead Vocal
Nick Goad – Mandolin/ Harmony Vocal
Corbin Hayslett – Banjo
Hunter Berry – Fiddle
Joe Hannabach – Bass

Photo Credit: Laci Mack

LISTEN: Lillian Leadbetter, “Doesn’t Hurt”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Lillian Leadbetter
Hometown: Lincoln, Vermont
Song: “Doesn’t Hurt”
Album: State of Romance
Release Date: September 22, 2023 (single); October 13, 2023 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Doesn’t Hurt’ exists in a world of suspended disbelief. Snowed into my childhood home in early February with just myself and a teething puppy, I lay in bed, reminiscing. As my brain drifted from my cold bed in the hills of snowy Vermont, I recalled warmer days, warmer arms, love that had slipped through my fingers, love I knew wouldn’t last. Those vignettes kept me warm, moments and people who told white lies to preserve a state of romance. ‘Doesn’t Hurt’ is an internal song, sung to honor all the moments I bit my tongue instead of admitting the end, choosing instead to revel in the impermanence of love one last time.” – Lillian Leadbetter

Photo Credit: Katyayani Krishnan

LISTEN: Veronique Medrano, “Dear Dorothy”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Veronique Medrano
Hometown: Brownsville, Texas
Song: “Dear Dorothy”
Album: MexiAmericana
Release Date: September 22, 2023

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Dear Dorothy’ as a playful way to address my luck – or lack thereof – when it came to love in my 20s, and to address the stories that we women tell to and hear from our best friends during a break up. Also acknowledging the hilarity in how life can take the wildest turns, especially when we least expect it. I wrote this song as an homage to my best friend, Dorothy, who passed away, with the hope that the essence of our friendship and humor would shine through. Dating in your 20s is full of wild and crazy stories, and so my thought is… what if after the break up everything went better? This song, along with the many others that I wrote or selected for my album, were to acknowledge and celebrate the seasons of love, heartbreak, independence and self discovery that brought me to the place I am now.” – Veronique Medrano

Track Credits: Written by Veronique Michelle Medrano

Producer: Mariano Herrera, Veronique Medrano
Engineer: Mariano Herrera
Mixing & Mastering: Mariano Herrera, Veronique Medrano
Executive Producer: Mario Davila
Recording Supervisor: Javi G
Recorded at Produce Sound Studios

Photo courtesy of Marushka Media

LISTEN: Kathy Kallick Band, “Just Lonesome Ol’ Me & the Radio”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Kathy Kallick Band
Hometown: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Song: “Just Lonesome Ol’ Me & the Radio”
Album: The Lonesome Chronicles
Release Date: September 19, 2023 (single); October 17, 2023 (album)
Label: Live Oak Records

In Their Words: “People of different ages will feel their engagement with radio in different ways. As part of a family gathered around the radio for a specific show, as a teenager listening to a transistor radio under their pillow, as a traveler on a long car trip with the radio tuned in to whatever signal it can find, or as a listener with that favorite show tuned in on a laptop from anywhere in the world, the radio means connection. In that bizarre time of lockdown, we all looked for ways to ‘be’ with other people, and a dear friend and I started having a listening date, tuning in to the same radio show from our separate places, and commenting to each other via email, text, or calling on the phone. It made us feel like we were having a little party!” – Kathy Kallick

Track Credits:
Kathy Kallick: composer, lead vocal, guitar
Annie Staninec: tenor vocal, fiddle
Greg Booth: baritone vocal, dobro
Tom Bekeny: mandolin
Cary Black: bass

Photo Credit: Anne Hamersky

LISTEN: The Fretliners, “Purple Flowers”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: The Fretliners
Hometown: Lyons, Colorado
Song: “Purple Flowers”
Album: The Fretliners
Release Date: September 29, 2023

In Their Words: “We’re very excited to release this music into the world and hope people enjoy it. Tom [Knowlton] and I wrote this song when each of us were dealing with the hardships of a long distance relationship. The dilemma between balancing love and pursuing a career in music. It was our first co-write together and an early addition to our live show. Sam [Parks] and Dan [Andree] really helped us bring the whole thing together on record.” – Taylor Shuck, bassist

Track Credits: Written by Taylor Shuck and Tom Knowlton
Produced by Sally Van Meter
Engineered by Eric Wiggs
Recorded at Vermillion Road Studio in Longmont, Colorado
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering

Photo Credit: Elliot Siff

Track Credits: Written by Taylor Shuck and Tom Knowlton
Produced by Sally Van Meter
Engineered by Eric Wiggs
Recorded at Vermillion Road Studio in Longmont, Colorado
Mastered by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering

LISTEN: Ross Cooper, “Love Like The Old Days”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Ross Cooper
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Love Like The Old Days”
Album: Lightning Heart
Release Date: September 29, 2023

In Their Own Words: “Aaron Raitiere and I were both on the same flight coming back to Nashville and sat together, opened up our journals, and wrote this song in a couple of hours. We’d been struggling to get a date on the books to write, so that plane ride was kind of a ‘stars-aligning moment.’ I wanted to write a song about my wife and the type of relationship that our folks have. The type of marriage worth writing about. This song fell out. I knew it was going to be a special song from the moment we finished it. And the cherry on top of all of it was I got my wife, O’Neal (who swears up and down that she ‘can’t sing’), to sing harmony on the track, and she sounds beautiful. Now it’s all full circle, and we have a song we get to share together. Some songs are easy to write… like they were waiting to get written. ‘Love Like The Old Days’ feels like that song for me.” – Ross Cooper

Photo Credit: Sam Wiseman