Category Archives: Features

Sarah Harralson Gives Listeners Insight to Single “Put a Rock on This Rolling Stone”

Nashville country artist, Sarah Harralson, recently released her new single, “Put a Rock on This Rolling Stone” under Busy at Play Publishing, which is her newest release since her collaborative album ‘West of Me’ in May 2019. This is her first released track since signing with producer Johnny Garcia (Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood), and it brings her music to a whole new level.

“Put a Rock on This Rolling Stone” means pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Harralson states, “The song is about someone who is a free spirit and an independent person, but at some point they want to settle down once they find the right person. I relate to this a lot, and I think a lot of others do too.” This East Tennessean native has influences of The Dixie Chicks, Jewel, and Alanis Morissette, which you can hear in her music.

Although the song was finished in mid-March, Harralson was unsure of when to put the song out into the world in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. “At the time, a lot of artists were postponing their tours and music releases, so I decided the beginning of summer would be the best time to release the single. After all, people want happy, feel-good songs in the summer. I had no idea it ended up being the perfect time to release it. Things were opening up again, and with all of the shotgun courthouse & zoom weddings due to canceled wedding ceremonies, it ended up being the perfect song for people to add to their wedding playlists. Because at the end of the day, people are just ready to put a rock on it instead of waiting!”

A couple days after the song was released, Harralson gave us another surprise with the music video for “Put a Rock on This Rolling Stone”. She says, “Another challenge was figuring out the music video concept. I originally wanted to have a party scene in the video with some people, but I knew it would be safer at the time to only have myself in the video. I like that we went with this concept instead because it promotes social distancing, but it also made sense to have just myself in the video since a rolling stone usually is alone when they’re moving from one place to the next.”

We asked her if she still considers herself to be a rolling stone: “I think I will always have a free spirit in me, but at the end of the day, I do want to settle down and have that true love, which I really feel like I have found.  I think all gypsy souls feel like they will never find the one until it just comes to them one day. I will always advocate love because there is truly nothing better, and if you are unsure if you will ever find it, don’t look so hard for it, just be patient.”

Sarah’s Socials:

About Sarah Harralson:

This Knoxville native began writing songs when she was ten years old, her grandfather, a bluegrass musician, being her biggest musical influence. After her grandfather passed in 2011, Sarah decided she would move to Nashville two years later to pursue music at Belmont University. A year after releasing her debut EP in 2014, she was discovered by Scotty Schultz, drummer of Shooter Jennings (Waylon Jennings’s son). Scotty opened up his publishing company, Raindrop Music LLC, in 2015 and after hearing Sarah’s original song “Watered Down Whiskey”, he knew he wanted to sign her right away. This would be Sarah’s first publishing deal. Scotty decided he would produce her first country EP, Watered Down Whiskey, of all original songs that Sarah has either written or co-written.

One of the tracks on the EP includes the song, “Radio Static” that was co-written with Johnny Garcia (lead guitar for Garth Brooks). Over time, Sarah began writing and working with Johnny, which evolved to the point where Sarah would sign her next publishing and artist development deal with Busy at Play Publishing (Johnny Garcia’s company). She is currently recording her next record with Johnny and you can expect to hear her new singles soon. Besides performing, Sarah also produces music herself and decided to release a collaborative album with co-writer Christine Bauer in early 2019 that she self-produced. She also plays at hospitals once a month for Musicians On Call. Sarah hopes that her music will help people in some way across the world. She is a big believer that music heals.

Riley Clemmons and Lauren Alaina Team Up For “Over and Over” Collab!

Twenty-year-old, Christian artist, Riley Clemmons has teamed up with Country artist, Lauren Alaina to release a new edition of “Over and Over.” The new collab comes after the “Broken Prayers” singer has released a home video for the single.

“Over and Over” has the makings of becoming a cross over song. To a Christian listener, the lyrics are apparent she’s talking to God about choosing her over and over, no matter how many times she messes up. Clemmons sings:

Staring at a Mountain
Thought I had already Climbed
The Weight of my Mistakes
Hold me down like I’m Paralyzed
How many Times
Have I asked for Grace
Standing in the same Broken Place
I’ve given You Every good Reason
To Walk Away

But somehow You Choose me
Over and Over Again
Over and Over Again
You keep Running to me
No matter where I am

“Over and Over” can also be applied to various situations. A parent, a partner, a friend. Alaina is the perfect fit, as she is also very vocal about her faith being a big part of her life.

In a previous interview with News Release Today, Clemmons spoke about the meaning behind the song.

This particular songwriting session was super special to me. I was talking with my label about writing this song. We discussed who I’d like to meet with to co-write it. I picked three of my favorite songwriters. I normally start a session talking about what’s going on in my life at that moment, taking that and finding a title and lyrics, based on that situation. For this song, I had been at church the day before. The pastor preached about what it means to recommit yourself to God every day. In a personal way, for me, that’s waking up every day and making the decision to choose God, over and over again. More so that I’m in awe of the fact that somehow I’ve been chosen to be a child of the God of the universe every single day, over and over again. Really, this song came from a place of just being in awe of God’s grace that doesn’t ask for anything back.

Take a listen to the collaboration below!

About Riley Clemmons:

Riley Clemmons is a 20-year-old pop singer/songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. Raised on southern gospel music and classic rock, Riley began singing at a young age. She was discovered by her manager Mitchell Solarek at age 13 and began attending writing sessions shortly after. At 16, Riley was signed to Capitol CMG and sky-rocketed onto the scene with her 2017 debut hit single “Broken Prayers,” which has amassed over 30M global streams since its release. Riley followed up the song with her self-titled debut album in August 2018, which debuted at No. 13 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart. In June 2019, she released her single “Fighting For Me,” which was one of only two female songs to reach Top 5 on the National Christian Audience radio chart in 2019, establishing Riley as a radio mainstay. Riley was then nominated for “New Artist of the Year” at the 2019 Dove Awards and named a feature performer. She also hosted the award shows’ official pre-telecast. An accomplished composer, performer, and recording artist, Riley is inspired by numerous genres, from classic artists such as Fleetwood Mac and Barbara Streisand to 2000s female pop vocalists Ariana Grande and Katy Perry. Her latest single “Over and Over” is out on all streaming platforms now.

Fallin’ For Dani Jack’s Debut EP ‘Grace’

You wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at the top 30 songs in Country Music right now, but Women in Country music are making their voices heard. With ladies like Maren Morris, Carly Pearce and Kelsea Ballerinileading the way, it’s clear that females want to listen to females. Nevada native,  Dani Jack is no different when it comes to strong and independent woman, changing the face of Country Music. Her vocals have such a wide range, she can bring in the traditional country listeners and the more modern crowd.

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With women on the rise, it’s important to have something to say and someone with whom other women can relate. Jack’s debut EP Grace has something for everyone and she told Variety Beat how special it is:

“Grace was one of the first songs I wrote when I moved to Nashville that kind of encompasses my whole life, always following my heart and my instincts even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. It’s a perfect representation of what this album is. I cowrote all six songs about personal experiences. I hope that anyone who listens can feel my heart and my soul in it.”

Jack recently took over our instagram story, which you can rewatch here!

Check out the rest of the EP which includes 6 songs that range all across the Country Music spectrum. From Patsy Cline to Carrie Underwood, there’s nothing she can’t sing. Her vocals shine through in each track and offer so much variety. It’s not just the same sound set to different music, but each track is truly a different experience.

“Fallin’ for It” – Upbeat and a perfect way to introduce Dani Jack to the world. It is the lead single of the EP.

“Toight I want to feel a little dangerous. I’m falling for it once again, watch my feet walk right off the cliff. When I think I’ve had enough, he’s always turning up.”

“Read My Mind” – Instantly catchy. A song that you can roll the windows down to, play louder, or jump and dance around to (preferably on a bed, using a hairbrush as a microphone).

“We’re so in sync, you got me thinking that you can read my mind. You can read my mind.”

“Grace” – Grab your cowboy boots and start swing dancing. “Grace” definitely channels some Miranda Lambert vibes as she sings about living in the fast lane.

“You can take a back seat, side street, try to keep up with her. Living in the fast lane, heartbreak rides up there with her. She ain’t gonna slow down, not now, don’t wait around for later. Cuz she’ll always find a feeling to chase, there just ain’t no saving grace.”

“Outrun” – One of the most powerful songs not the EP. It has a sultry yet bluesy sound to it as she struggles to believe in love again.

“Where I want to be loving so desperately. It feels good, but I know better, history tells me this won’t last forever. Wanna believe what you say, but I got the scars that won’t let me forget. When I let my heart outrun my head.”

“Perfect” – has such pure and crisp vocals. We really get a sense of the beautiful and simple nature of a song along with her voice.

“I feel like you’re worth it, you could be perfect, if we just let go and fall.”

“Hurt” –  The most somber song on the album, reflects on how much pain a break up can be and wondering if the other person is hurting as much as you are.

“I’m on my knees. This pain is real. Do you feel anything? I want it to hurt, I want it to burn. I wanted to see you bruise and cut right through til you’re bleeding in the dirt. I want it to ache, want your heart to break. And as you fall, you feel like all the air has gone away.”

Listen to Grace EP below!

 

More about Dani Jack:

When Dani is not focused on music, she is heavily involved in nonprofit work. She contributes her time to the Josh Powell Foundation, which provides tangible support to patients, survivors, and loved ones facing sarcoma cancer. She also dedicates her free time to the Espere Community Counseling Center, a nonprofit mental health center in Haiti that is dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities by providing counseling, community outreach support, education, and hope.

 

Interview: Lena Stone is The Best Lena She Can Be in “Can’t Think Straight” Music Video

Meet rising singer-songwriter Lena Stone, who is a Carlisle, MA native. Stone moved to Nashville at the age of 18 to pursue her passion for music. A few short years later and Stone is quickly making a name for herself in the music industry as both an artist and a songwriter.  Stone’s accolades include being a co-writer on Kalie Shorr‘s “Fight Like A Girl” and she is one of the founding members of Song Suffragettes (A weekly writer’s round held in Nashville, Tennessee featuring female country artists). 

Stone has been paving a pathway to success with her infectious pop-country sound and beaming personality. She is an avid songwriter and has penned over 500 songs in the last few years, crafting and defining her own artistry. Stone just released her second single, “Can’t Think Straight,” along with a music video that was filmed live on Nashville’s Music Row. We had the opportunity to talk with her about her new single and what’s ahead as she gets ready to release her EP!

Stone wanted “Can’t Think Straight” to have a summery feel to it, a song one can listen to with the windows rolled down and that is exactly what she delivered. It sparks the emotions that lost love elicits and the longing that comes after a breakup.

Am I still the one you’re thinking of, when you can’t think straight / Baby, do you go scrolling through your phone / looking for my name / When it’s 1 AM and you’re wondering why you’re still awake / Am I still the one you’re thinking of when you can’t think straight?

The song features a melancholy guitar and rainstick throughout the track which highlights the emotions of the lyrics. Stone is able to create imagery with her strong vocals and effortless sound, blending a mix of country and pop. “Can’t Think Straight” has all the potential a song needs to make a breakout artist. Stone is constantly working on new ways to reach fans and is gearing up to release her debut EP, due out later this year!

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Read Our Interview with Lena Stone

Variety Beat: You have had success as a co-writer on Kalie Shorr’s “Fight Like A Girl,” what has that been like and did you think something like that would happen?

Stone: All the success that we’ve had with “Fight Like A Girl” has been so amazing and so unexpected! Kalie, Hailey (Steele) and I wrote that song on a day when we were all feeling really down about being women in the music industry, and so we wanted to write something to empower ourselves. But the stories that we’ve heard from cancer survivors, women struggling with infertility, and all kinds of obstacles have made the song take on this amazing meaning that’s so much bigger than we originally dreamed possible!

Variety Beat: You have been a part of “Song Suffragettes” for a few years now, how has that entire journey been and how has it helped you as an artist?

Stone: Song Suffragettes is a really important part of my story in Nashville so far. It’s been a place to meet friends and co-writers, a stage to play for new audiences and test out new songs, and a community of women to lean on in this crazy industry.

Variety Beat: Inspiration for songs can come from a variety of experiences and places, is there a place that you feel would inspire you to write more?

Stone: I’m really inspired to write and be creative in places that are cozy or homey; if a writing room is too plain or there isn’t a comfy couch to curl up on, I’ll definitely be less productive!

Variety Beat: How have your life experiences and influences shaped you as an artist? Is there a defining moment that made you decide to pursue music full-time?

Stone: I don’t really have an “aha” moment with music, I feel like I’m just that three-year-old who said she wanted to be a singer and just never grew out of it! My family and the music my parents listened to around the house when I was growing up had a huge influence on me and my music. They were (and still are) big fans of the singer/songwriters of the 1970s like James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and more, and that love of songwriting is at the heart of all the music I make today.

Variety Beat: Moving to Nashville at a young age can be a challenging and a life-changing experience, how have you overcome that challenge and what advice would you give to someone thinking about making the move?

Stone: Nashville is absolutely the place to be if you want to be a singer/songwriter, and especially if you want to be in Country Music! That being said, I think a lot of really talented people get discouraged when they get here because they haven’t quite realized what they’ve gotten themselves into and can get intimidated (it’s super easy with all the talent in this town!), so I would say make sure you’re really ready to get knocked down a bunch before you make the big move!

Variety Beat: What is the story and inspiration behind your song, “Can’t Think Straight?” What would you want someone to take away from the song?

Stone: With “Can’t Think Straight” I really wanted to write a song that felt like the summer when I was 18; that was the year I fell in love for the first time, had my heart-broken for the first time, left my hometown and my high school boyfriend behind and moved to Nashville. I spent a lot of nights missing him and wondering if he was thinking about me too, and that’s really the place where “Can’t Think Straight” came from. I really hope that anyone who hears the song will find some detail or lyric that reminds them of their first love and how magical that time can be, even if it’s over.

Variety Beat: You have been working on your debut EP, what has that whole process been like and what do you hope to say with it?

Stone: I am so excited about this EP because it will be my first time releasing a collection of songs at once instead of just singles. We just finalized the track listing and I’m so excited that the songs on this project cover all the stages of a relationship from the very beginning to the very end, all the moments and all the emotions.

Variety Beat: How would you describe your sound to someone who may not be familiar with your music?

Stone: That’s a hard one! I think my music lives in that space that’s a little bit pop and a little bit country. Some of my biggest influences are Sugarland, Sara Evans, James Taylor, Taylor Swift and Sara Bareilles, and I’m always just trying to be the best Lena I can be.

Check Out the Video for “Can’t Think Straight” Below!

Hawaiian Country Artist, JoLivi Releases Soulful New Single “Vinyl” -Listen!

Recently, I turned the radio to a Country station and someone asked “Are you listening to Country?” Then proceeded to say how annoyed she got because of all these people who listen to Country Music and have never even been on a horse. I’m not sure what riding a horse has to do with liking an entire genre of music, but it just goes to show that you don’t have to meet a specific mold to enjoy what Country Music has to offer.

Hawaiian native, JoLivi would probably agree! There probably isn’t a whole lot of Country influence on the islands, but that hasn’t stopped her from resonating with the music and turning it into a career. JoLivi wants to make music for everyone and for every occasion. Her soulful new single “Vinyl” (written and produced by Mark McKee),  is playful and has all the makings of a hit song. Her vocals are strong, the beat is catchy and the song is carefree and relatable.

JoLivi told Variety Beat about the inspiration behind the song:

‘“Vinyl” is about experiencing moments that are classic and unfiltered.  There is something romantic about a jukebox and watching a record physically play on the turntable.  Also, just having fun.. leaving all your worries behind and getting lost in time.”

 

“Play me like a Vinyl

Get it on like I’m out of tune

Then flip me over if you want to play side two

Oh spin me around, yeah you love the sound

Of the jukebox stereo coming in loud

I’m vinyl, let your needle touch my groove.”

LISTEN TO “VINYL”

 

Get “Vinyl” on itunes.

About JoLivi
Born and raised in the Hawaii Islands, JoLivi’s love for country music started at a young age. While some may not correlate country music and the aloha state, the rural landscapes and laid-back lifestyle emulate everything we love about the genre. JoLivi caught the music bug at a young age and quickly began singing wherever she had a chance. After graduating with a Theatre degree from Colorado State, JoLivi decided it was time to make the move to LA to pursue her music career full time.
While in LA, Jo Livi had the opportunity to open for artists including Andy Grammar, Gavin DeGraw, Lindsey Stirling and more alongside the release of four singles garnering more than 670K views on YouTube and 20K streams on Spotify. Her vocal chops turned critics heads with Perez Hilton stating she possessed ‘star potential’ and alt radio stations around the US spinning her singles.
Now residing in Nashville and working closely with Johnny Garcia (Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood), JoLivi has released two country singles “Take a Shot” and “Crooked Crown” with the music video for “Crooked Crown” in regular rotation on The Country Network. With ‘the contemporary appeal of Maren Morris, vocal strength and uniqueness of Melissa Etheridge and the grit of Bonnie Rait’ (Country Music Tattle Tale), JoLivi is gearing up to release her brand new single entitled “Vinyl” on March 9th.