Little Big Town‘s lead single from their new album The Breaker (out now) spends a second week at #1! The tune was penned by none other than Taylor Swift and the group has had a lot to say about the songwriter! This is the group’s third single to reach #1!
(Phillip) “I think we wanted people to hear the song without any preconceived ideas. Let the song stand on its own two legs. It’s a beautifully written song, and that was really, out of respect, let it be heard that way.”
(Jimi) “Taylor is the biggest pop star in the world. Along with that title comes a lot of extra things, people wanting to know who she wrote the song about, and all these other conversations, other than the song, which was a beautifully written song, which Taylor does well. So we wanted the song to stand on its own merits, because it’s a great song, and she’s a great writer. I think she kinda liked that.”
(Kimberley) “She’s such an amazing songwriter, for her as a songwriter, to have the song come out and be accepted, and blow up before they found out who wrote it meant everything to her as a songwriter.” – Country Countdown USA
The first week at #1, “Better Man” was also Mediabase country panel’s most-played and most-heard song for the February 12-18 tracking week. It received ~8,381 tracking week spins (+550) and ~57.269 million tracking week audience impressions. (Via Headline Planet)
Now, during it’s second week at #1, “Better Man” is Mediabase country panel’s most-played and most-heard song for the February 19-25 tracking period. It received ~8,670 spins tracking week spins (+289) and ~58.944 million tracking week audience impressions. (Headline Planet)
Cole Swindell was recently honored with the songwriter/artist of the year award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He moved to Nashville with the dream of somehow becoming part of the music industry, no matter what form that may be. Swindell accepted the award via video message saying:
“It’s the biggest honor of my career by far because I moved to this town to be a songwriter…All I ever wanted to do was to write songs.”
He went from selling merchandise at Luke Bryan concerts, to opening for him, to headling his own tour!
Swindell has written #1 songs for himself as well as other huge acts. Just las year alone he earned 4 BMI awards for #1 songs he wrote for Thomas Rhett (“Get Me Some of That”), Luke Bryan (“Roller Coaster”), Florida Georgia Line (“This Is How We Roll”) as well as his own No. 1 “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight.”
LIVE FROM COLE SWINDELL’S #1 PARTY “You Should Be Here.”
Since signing his record deal just over three years ago (July 13, 2013), Swindell has been the writer on eight No. 1 songs including five as a solo artist. His latest No. 1 included his career-defining Platinum-certified “You Should Be Here,” co-written with the NSAI Songwriter of the Year winner Ashley Gorley. The song joins Swindell’s first four No. 1 consecutive singles as a solo artist (including Gold-certified “Let Me See Ya Girl,” along with Platinum-certified hits “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” “Ain’t Worth The Whiskey” and “Chillin’ It”) from his Platinum selling self-titled debut album which tops his own record of being the only solo artist in the history of Country Aircheck/Mediabase to top the chart with his first FIVE singles. His current self-penned single “Middle of a Memory,” off of his second album You Should Be Here, is sitting at No. 5 on both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts and still climbing.
Swindell took the time to pen a letter to Nashville, thanking the beautiful city for being there for him, his family, his friends and his fans.
I signed my record deal with Warner on July 13th 2013, and had my first single picked, “Chillin’ It”. It was the best year of my life and I was in the middle of my radio tour when I got the call that we had lost my dad in a freak accident. How could that possibly be in the master plan? He was the best guy in the world, my biggest fan and was the first person I ever heard play the guitar and sing. I was in shock and lost. Who did I turn to?
Nashville. This town. My family. Country radio … It was like everyone had my back no matter what media partner, label, publishing company or PRO they worked for and I’ll never forget it. I realized that some of my heroes, like Dierks Bentley, had also lost their dads and were there for me. Things like that make me proud to live in THIS town and proud to be a part of this format.
“Country” means a lot more to me than the sound coming out of your speakers. To me it’s a big family. It’s how you treat others, how you were raised. It’s lyrics that can change your life. All that. We are all getting to do what we love and that’s because somebody took a chance on us.
Swindell just celebrated his latest #1 “You Should Be Here” which was inspired by the death of his father. Although the song is deeply personal to him, it has taken on a personal meaning for millions of others.
“You Should Be Here” will always be a special song for me. The first day it was played on country radio the messages I got on social media from fans everywhere broke my heart. I wanted to release a song that would help other people but hearing their stories made me know I wasn’t alone… it wasn’t about me anymore, it wasn’t about only my dad. It was for everyone that had been there and knew that pain. Your stories have and will continue to change me for the better. People asked, “How did you film the video and release a song that personal?” I never looked at it that way. The fans give me all they have and I will always do the same. Although I don’t like the circumstances of why I had to write the song. I know for a fact if my dad knew leaving this world a little early would inspire a song that would help so many, he would’ve had no problem with it. That’s the kind of guy he was. That’s the kind of guy I want to be. Every night I sing that song I know he’s there, best seat in the house no doubt.
We are officially two weeks away from the Stagecoach Festival. No more waiting if you have yet to get your tickets we only have one question for you. What Are You Waiting For? Get your tickets for this amazing festival. If you need a reason we are about to give you 7 reasons you should get your tickets NOW NOW NOW!!!!!
Day 3 of Stagecoach will not disappoint you. There is amazing talent lined up as is for Day 1 and Day 2. Just who is playing on day 3 you ask. Well lets see we have Old Dominion, RaeLynn, A Thousand Horses, The Doobie Brothers (Yes you read that right), Dustin Lynch, Little Big Town, and closing out the night and the festival is non other than……..LUKE BRYAN!!!!!!!!
Some of these artists may sound familiar while a few you are probably scratching your head about. You have heard their music before this I can promise you but you probably didn’t know they sang the song. Lets take a little in-depth look at each of these artists.
Stagecoach Day 3 Artist Spotlight
Old Dominion
Old Dominion is fairly new to the mainstream country scene as they hit the ground running with their #1 hit single “Break Up With Him.” They are currently touring and fresh off their 2016 Vocal Duo of the year award win at the ACMs. Old Dominion is taking the country scene by storm. Their current single “Snapback” just released about a month ago and is making huge waves! It is a catchy tune and could eventually earn them their second #1.
RaeLynn
Most of you probably have heard the name RaeLynn mentioned before on the country scene. She got her start on the hit TV show I where she was coached by country superstar Blake Shelton until her elimination in the quarterfinals. RaeLynn has also been known to show up unannounced at a few of her former coaches shows to surprise audiences. Here is her music video “For A Boy”.
A Thousand Horses
By now you have heard of A Thousand Horses or at least their songs anyway. They took mainstream Country Radio by storm in 2015 with their hit song “Drunk Dial” and “Smoke.” This past week they released their next single called “Southernality.” If this song is anything like “Drunk Dial” it should be climbing the country charts very soon. Keep an eye out for it on the charts and keep your ears tuned in to country radio and request it if you love it. Here is the music video for their current single “Southernality.”
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers have brought us songs such as “Black Water,”Train Running” and “Listen to the Music.” This classic group is sure to put on an amazing set. Get ready to rock out country style and enjoy decades of music rolled into one set.
Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch returns to the Stagecoach festival after performing back in 2014. This year he brings with him a ray of #1 hits and a list of party songs. His current single “Mind Reader” is climbing the country charts and can be heard on mainstream country stations nationwide. If you aren’t hearing this single yet then call your radio station and request it. Lynch is known for past hits such as “After Party,” “Cowboys and Angels” and “Hell of A Night.” These songs are sure to be a part of his set somewhere as they are fan favorites.
Little Big Town
What can we say about Little Big Town that hasn’t already been said. Multi-Award winning group. Several #1 hits and former Stagecoach performers. LBB hit the Stagecoach festival for the first time back in 2009 with songs such as “Little White Church” and “Kiss Goodbye.” Since then they have had many more #1 and memorable songs at that. This year’s performance should see songs such as “Day Drinking.” “Pontoon” and their most recent hit “Girl Crush. While these are all amazing songs and well known keep your eyes out for their latest single to hit the stage “Pain Killer.” This song is sure to get the crowd going. Check it out below:
Luke Bryan
The man of the hour, Mr. Luke Bryan is returning to the Stagecoach Festival for the fourth year. His most recent performance was back in 2014. This multi-award winner and multiple #1 hit artist is sure to steal the show as he is not only the headliner for night 3 but he is also the man chosen to Close Out the festival. Luke Bryan has many songs to choose from but we are hoping he will grace the stage with songs such as “Home Alone Tonight,” “Strip It Down” and “Kick The Dust Up.” One thing we are sure of is, he is likely to play his current single just released last week titled “Huntin’,Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day.” If this song is anything like his past songs it will be #1 before we know it. One thing we are sure of is this will be an AMAZING performance for sure and a great show all around.
So there it is your Day 3 lineup for Stagecoach. If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet for this star studded festival do yourself a favor and STOP reading this and go get your tickets now. Need a little help click on this link for your Tickets.
Stagecoach is right around the corner and if day 1 wasn’t enough to get your heart beating real fast day 2 promises to put you into overdrive. The talent that will be gracing the stage for day 2 is insane. With artists such as Mo Pitney, Chris Stapleton, Joe Nichols, Lee Ann Womack, John Fogerty, The Band Perry, and headlining the night is none other than Carrie Underwood. Get ready because day 2 is going to be crazy.
Artist Spotlight
Mo Pitney is taking the stagecoach stage for the first time this year. His current single “Boy & A Girl Thing” is climbing the charts Pitney and proving he will be a household name sooner rather than later. You might have heard some of his other hits such as “I Met Merle Haggard Today” and “Country”.
With 2 GRAMMY wins and a #1 single “Nobody To Blame,” Chris Stapleton is taking the music industry by storm. Its no wonder he was asked to perform at Stagecoach this year. With six weeks at number 1, Stapleton also has various other number 1 hit songs for other artists under his belt. Stapleton is currently climbing the charts with his current single “Fire Away.” If this song is anything like his other #1s we are sure to see him up at the top of the charts very soon.
Joe Nichols isreturning to the stagecoach festival after his killer performance in 2013 with hit singles such as “Sunny and 75” and “Gimmie That Girl.” We are sure to see some amazing things from Nichols this year. His current single “Freaks Like Me” with give the crowd a rise! Nichols is sure to leave it all on the stage and leave the crowd wanting more.
What can be said about this next performer but ‘Legendary Female Icon in Country Music?’ Spanning several decades Lee Ann Womack has given us songs such as “I Hope You Dance” and “Something Worth Leaving Behind.” With her talent and song list this performance is sure to be nothing short of spectacular. Womack’s current single “The Way I’m Livin” will take the top spot on the stage night two.
John Fogerty.That’s it!!! What more can be said about this man. Legendary and Icon Fogerty is returning to the Stagecoach festival after his performance in 2008. He brings with him songs such as “Born On The Bayou,” “Mystic Highway” and “Don’t You Wish It Was True” along with his latest single “Fortunate Son.” This is sure to be one of the best performances of the night and one of the most anticipated.
But wait there is more!!!!!!
The Band Perry is taking the stagefor the third time in Stagecoach history after their performances in 2012 and 2015. They bring to us their latest single “Live Forever.” It follows past singles such as “Better Dig 2,” “Chainsaw” and “If I Die Young.” With this being their third year they are no strangers to the Stagecoach crowd and they are sure to bring a spectacular show that will leave all the fans shouting for more.
THE HEADLINER
Who better to close out night two than a legend in her own right. Multi-time GRAMMY Award winner Carrie Underwood. With a list of hits a mile long Underwood is the perfect person to close out a night of high energy performers. Underwood brings to the stage her latest #1 song “Heartbeat.” We are sure to hear her other hits such as “Two Black Cadillacs,” “Blown Away” and “Before He Cheats.” These could be encore songs as this Country Diva has many songs that will keep the crowd rocking through her entire set. It is no doubt that if the crowd is loud like in the past years she has performed (2008, 2011) an encore will likely happen.
With a lineup like this night 2 of this 10 year anniversary is surely to be memorable for all those in attendance. If you haven’t bought your tickets for this epic three day festival you better hurry and get them before they sell out. You don’t want to miss this festival for anything. Again the festival is April 29-May 1 in Indio, CA at the Empire Polo Club.
Recently I had the chance to speak with Country Artist, Aaron Parker. In November 2015, I was able to exclusively premiere his song “Left In A Bottle.” You can check out that interview and song here. I also included Parker on my ‘10 Country Music Artists Who Can Change Radio in 2016‘ list.
Since we last spoke, Parker has a single out called “I’d Go Right Now.” In part 1 of our interview he talks about the writing process of the song and his inspiration for the song.
“It’s really about a simpler time in your life, that you don’t know that you don’t really have a lot of cares. You think that you have a lot of cares…. but it’s not big at all.”
He went on to say how most cares were just about your test on Friday, which let’s be honest, back in our school days, that is stressful! Now, being older and having to worry about grown up bills etc, he has a new take on life.
LISTEN TO OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AARON PARKER PART 1/2
One of the things I have stated before about Parker is his unique voice and take on Country Music. I am so thankful that in part 2 of our interview I was able to get his thoughts on being a Male in Country Music and getting music played on Country Radio. There has been a lack of more female artists on Country Radio and Parker agrees that it is easier to be a male in the Country Music business. He also thinks times are changing and some of the current artists are paving the way for change.
LISTEN TO OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AARON PARKER PART 2/2
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