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Features, Music

Variety Beat’s 10 Artists to Watch in 2018!

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In 2017 we got to see a few of our artists from 18 Artists to Obsess Over in 2017 breakout in a huge way. Luke Combs had not one, but two #1 songs as well as a fully sold out headliner tour. Carly Pearce signed her first record deal early in the year and got her first #1 with her debut single, “Every Little Thing.” As 2017 has come to a close, we look out into the future of the bright stars looking to breakout in 2018.

Josh Dorr

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Dorr released his debut EP, Sundancer, back in November of this year, which featured five tracks. Dorr has been in the country music scene for some time now, which included him teaming up with Fender for a tour back in 2015. Dorr’s crisp and distinctive voice separates him from the rest of the pack. Dorr’s EP features the song “Ready or Not,”  which was co-written along with Ryan Hurd. Look for Dorr to make a huge impact in 2018.

Notable Songs: “Ready or Not,” “I Need a Highway” and “Before the Summer Dies”

Walker McGuire

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Walker McGuire have recently been making a big splash in the country music world. The duo comprises of members Jordan Walker and Johnny McGuire, who signed to Wheelhouse Records back in late 2016. Their debut single, “Til Tomorrow,” was released back in April of this year and cracked the top 50 on the Country Airplay Charts. Walker McGuire have opened for artists such as Old Dominion and Kane Brown. Walker McGuire are defining their own sound and it is a sound that has not been heard by any recent duos. In early 2018, be on the lookout for Walker McGuire’s debut EP.

Notable Songs: “Til Tomorrow,” “Mysteries of the World” and “Lost”

Taylor Acorn

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Acorn just recently signed with Play It Again in November of this year. Acorn is a Lynchburg, Virginia native, who previously released three singles independently. Acorn just released her debut EP titled, Put It In a Song on November 17th. The EP features Acorn’s infectious title track “Put It In a Song.” Acorn has opened for artists such as Scotty McCreery and Parmalee. Acorn brings a fresh voice with intelligent songwriting that will attract fans from all over. Be on the lookout for Acorn to gain more traction in the upcoming year.

Notable Songs: “Put It In a Song,” “Same” and “Something Tonight”

High Valley

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High Valley is a brother duo with members Brad Rempel and Curtis Rempel who are Alberta, Canada natives. High Valley has had major success in the Canadian market with numerous top 10 songs like “I Be U Be” reaching the #1 spot. Today, High Valley is currently signed with Atlantic Records and are making a major impact in the US market. High Valley’s style takes some of the traditional elements of country music and blends it with a modern spin. High Valley have recently just finished their first headline tour with Sirius XM The Highway and are looking for an even more successful 2018.

Notable Songs: “Make You Mine,” “The Only” and “She’s With Me”

Mike Ryan

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Ryan is a San Antonio, Texas native and has been having a successful career in the Texas music scene with multiple #1 singles on the Texas Music Chart. Ryan has been featured as a “Highway Find” on Sirius XM’s The Highway with his song “Sad Song.” Ryan released his third studio album titled, Blink You’ll Miss It, which features the lead single “New Hometown.” Ryan is an avid touring artist playing over 100 shows per year, securing him a devoted fan following. Ryan’s voice is pure and the epitome of the what country music is, look for Ryan to have breakout success in this upcoming year.

Notable Songs: “New Hometown,”Damn Good Goodbye” and “Other Side of the Radio”

Smithfield

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Smithfield is made up of members Jennifer Fiedler and Trey Smith, who happen to be childhood friends. Fiedler and Smith did not foresee themselves forming the duo, as they both ventured into their own solo careers before rekindling just a few years ago. Today, Smithfield is one of the hottest duos in the Nashville music scene. Smithfield’s latest single, “When You’re Gone,”  has been featured on Sirus XM’s The Highway along with their previous single “Hey Whiskey.” Smithfield also went on the road back this past year on The Highway Finds tour with Steve Moakler. Smithfield is currently working on new music which is slated for release in the new year.

Check out our interview with them!

Meet Country Duo Smithfield + Watch An Acoustic Performance of “When You’re Gone”

Notable Songs: “Hey Whiskey,” “You Don’t Know” and “Good Ol’ Days”

Bailey Bryan

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Bryan was just recently inducted as a member of CMT’s Next Women of Country class of 2018 and is looking for a breakout year. Bryan released her debut EP, So Far, earlier in 2017. Bryan also had her first tour exposure when she hit the road with Dan + Shay on their Obsessed Tour. Bryan has also hit the road with Chris Lane on his Take Back Home Tour in the last quarter of this year. Bryan is looking to set herself apart with her distinctive vocals and lyrical style, with hopes of breaking out in 2018.

Check out our photo gallery of Bailey Bryan at Route 91!

Notable Songs: “Own It,” “Hard Drive Home” and “Life Goes On”

Brandon Lay

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Lay is a Jackson, Tennessee native and has been starting to make an impact in the industry. Lay signed with EMI Records back in early 2016 and he released his debut single, “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers,” in the summer of 2017. Lay has opened for Old Dominion and is slated to open for Kenny Chesney starting in April of 2018. Lay likes to describe his style as a cross between eighties country and nineties rock, clearly defining his own sound. Lay is currently working on his debut album, in hopes to release it in the near future.

Notable Songs: “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers,” “Let It” and “Wilder Horses”

Jordan Davis

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Davis is a Shreveport, LA native who moved to Nashville after being influenced from his brother to take the chance. A few years late, Davis signed with UMG Nashville and is currently working on his debut album. Davis released his debut single, “Singles You Up,” in May of 2017. “Singles You Up” has flown up the charts and is currently on it’s way to the top 20 of the airplay charts, with no signs of slowing down. Davis recently finished opening for Kip Moore on his “Please the Fifth Tour” late this year and is looking to keep the momentum going into 2018.

Notable Songs: “Singles You Up,” “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot” and “Take It From Me”

Abby Anderson

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At only 20 years old, Anderson has already begun to burst onto the scene in 2017. Anderson signed a record deal with Black River Entertainment back in February of this year. Anderson released her debut single, “This Feeling,” this past September. Anderson also had the opportunity to open for Kelsea Ballerini and she is currently working on her debut album. Anderson also was inducted to CMT’s Next Women of Country for 2018 and is looking to build off of this success.

Notable Song: “This Feeling”

Spotify Playlist of the Artists Featured

Features, Music

Glee Star, Noah Guthrie Releases New Album ‘The Valley’ – Listen

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(Nashville, Tenn. – June 23, 2017) – Noah Guthrie, known for portraying Roderick Meeks on Fox’s hit TV show Glee, released his sophomore album, The Valley, today through The Orchard – Sony Music to all digital outlets globally as well as physically in North America and the U.K. The creation of The Valley was purely a “passion project” and, in turn, a direct result of Guthrie’s feverish fans and social media following who contributed more than the desired funding in order to bring this project into existence through Pledge Music.

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Art Credit: Matthew Fleming
Braving and unearthing every emotion, from solitude and loneliness to understanding and purpose, that is encumbered in “the valley,” Guthrie wrote or co-wrote every track on the record with songwriters such as Matthew Perryman Jones, Amy Stroup, Rhett Shull, Michelle Raitzin, and Caroline Brooks. Recording music together their whole lives, Guthrie recruited his brother, Ian Guthrie, to serve alongside him as the producer of the record, confessing,
“We are big believers that a song should be able to stand on its own—the simpler the arrangement, the better. I remember us staying up late into the night trying to sculpt and shape songs, adding melodies and instruments that didn’t quite fit to make the sound more interesting, almost always reverting back to what we had
before The simple takes were the ones that let the raw feeling of the song shine through the most. That’s what I hope you find in this record: Strong, compelling songs that make you feel something.”
Leading up to the album’s street date, Guthrie released three singles to accompany the record: “Pardon Me” in 2016, “Love You Now” in February 2017, and “I Would Die 4 U” in April 2017. Guthrie chose to cover Prince’s iconic dance track, “I Would Die 4 U” as a tribute to the late legend and the first anniversary of his death. Guthrie even went on to perform his rendition of the track on Hallmark’s Home and Family alongside guest Mayte Garcia, Prince’s ex-wife. Since the release of his newest single, “Love You Now,” in February 2017, Guthrie has been touring the United States and Europe in support of his sophomore album, and will be returning abroad to tour throughout Europe again this coming August 2017.
Making the most of CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn., June 8-11, Guthrie met with fans and signed autographs at Fan Fair X, performed at Ty Herndon’s Concert for Love and Acceptance, and delivered a jaw-dropping acoustic performance at the Wildhorse Saloon, including in the set his most acclaimed cover of LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It.” About Noah Guthrie: Noah Guthrie rose to fame covering chart-topping hits on YouTube that eventually led to his pivotal role as Roderick Meeks on FOX’s hit TV show Glee on it’s sixth and final season. He received national attention with his blues-filled version of LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It,” which to date has received over 25- million views, with total YouTube views racking up over 75 million.
Photos by Variety Beat
The South Carolina native grew up in a home filled with music, always singing around the house, Guthrie credits his father for teaching him to learn his true voice and hone his gift. At 14, he began writing his own songs, highlighting his richly textured voice that is capable of conveying the true emotion of a lyric. As a practiced musician on the bass, guitar, and trumpet, by the time he was 13 years old, everyone around him knew that he had an innate gift. Throughout his young career, Guthrie has already opened concerts for Ed Sheeran, Neon Trees, Ben Rector, Cobra Starship, Matisyahu, Matt Nathanson and Selena Gomez, and has performed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars as well as NBC’s Today and Tonight Show.
Take a listen to The Valley
Features, Music, Pop

Mags Duval Shows Strength in Vulnerability in New Single “Cinnamon Gum.”

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19-year-old Pop Singer/Songwriter, Mags Duval has been writings songs since she was 9-years-old. Now a resident of Nashville, her songwriting has lead to her working with incredible talented producers like GRAMMY winner Luke Laird (Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Tim McGraw) and John Hill (Eminem, Shakira, Snoop Lion, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z).

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Listening to her new music, you wouldn’t guess Duval is a teenager, in fact she shows a lot of longevity as her music is hauntingly beautiful. Her latest single, “Cinnamon Gum” takes us through the emotions of missing someone you’ve long since broken up with, but can’t seem to stop forgetting about them.

Summer’s come and gone a couple times / And they don’t play that same song on the radio / There’s still a piece of you I keep wrapped up in my mind / It starts out subtle / Blowing bubbles / Baby, you’re in the air

Duval says of the single: “There is strength in vulnerability. I don’t think you have to act like everything’s okay to be strong.”

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Duval writes songs to have an outlet for her feelings. “When I’m feeling something and don’t think there is a song I can jam out to, to get me over it, I think, ‘Okay. I guess I need to write one. Because if I’m feeling this way, chances are there’s someone out there who’s feeling this too.’”

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She hopes her songs will be able to help others connect to their feelings and feel understood. “I feel so fortunate to be able to have my songs as an outlet for my life, my feelings. To be able to give that to people––to provide an escape, help them feel understood and like they’re not alone. That’s what I want to do with my music.”

LISTEN TO MAGS DUVAL’S SINGLE “CINNAMON GUN”

Follow Mags Duval on iTunes, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook



Features, Music

Mallary Hope Shares How She Overcame Hardship in Debut Christian Single “Now”

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There comes a time when you come across an artist that has both vocal prowess and the ability to connect with listeners. Curb Records recording artist, Mallary Hope is one of those artists that when you hear sing, you are blown away by strong vocals, relatable and moving lyrics and her vulnerability. Hope isn’t afraid of baring her soul, revealing her weakness or imperfections and that’s a large part of why her audience is so loyal and has followed her career over the years, despite the road blocks.

CHECK OUT OUR INTERVIEW WITH MALLARY HOPE!

Hope began her career in Country Music and released her first single “Love Lives On” in 2009. Almost 8 years later, she is releasing her first single “Now” to Christian Radio. Hope has not been shy about how much this song means to her and how tough the journey has been.

My goal since I was a little girl, was to make music that touched people. This song is about my journey to where I am NOW. Where God has brought me….He’s been with me through it all, but most days, I was trying to lead the way.. Once he opened my eyes to surrendering MY desires , he changed my heart to love what HE wanted for me…

The lyrics speak for themselves.

This is not the place I thought I’d be / This is not the road I had in mind in front of me / Don’t see the reason / Sometimes I’m scared / But I know you’re leading / Even when I don’t know where / So I’ll  put one foot in front of the other / Take one breath / Then take another / Lead the way God / I’m gonna follow you.

Cuz you’re faithful / Every moment / When it’s easy / When it isn’t / You never lead me wrong / Never let go / Your love is strong / And your arms still hold me / Right here / To forever / Like a child and / Like a treasure / From the start to the end / Through the ups and downs / You were with me then / and you’re with me now

Hope shared her excitement about the release of “Now” on her social media and how she hopes it inspires everyone who hears it.

I hope when you hear this song it inspires you to keep on going! Sometimes God’s plans for us, are not what we had in mind,but I promise they are so much better.❤️

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR MALLARY HOPE’S DEBUT CHRISTIAN SINGLE “NOW” 

LISTEN TO “NOW” ON SPOTIFY

Get the single “Now” on iTunes 

Follow Mallary Hope on social media

Twitter: @MallaryHope

Facebook: Mallary Hope

Instagram: @Mallary_Hope

Watch Variety Beat’s Video Footage of Mallary Hope in Concert

Features

See What Inspired Eloah Jones’ First Original Single “Soldier.”

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BQY9HeNBM9o/

Jones told Variety Beat:

Right now, it’s one of my lines in “Soldier”… “I thought you’d be my forever, but it turned into a war.”  “Soldier” was built around that lyric.  What I was saying there is to remember that everything happens for a reason and some things that may seem perfect are not. But, when going through tough times, it’s easy to give in, but you can’t let those situations define you or defeat you. Because what defines you is not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up. You have to be strong and fight…. like a “Soldier.”
The lyrics of “Soldier” have a power to them that will others feel that same confidence and push to keep going.
Soldier / Rise like a fighter / Heart like a warrior / Nothing’s going to take me down.

LISTEN TO ELOAH JONES’ SINGLE “FIGHTER”

Jones’ single SOLDIER is now available on Apple Music, iTunes, and Spotify.