Tag Archives: New England Country Music

Abby Anderson: ‘Make Him Wait’ Single Review

Dallas Native, Abby Anderson, teased us with her YouTube release of the acoustic recording of ‘Make Him Wait’ about a month ago however, her debut single was officially released on Friday, April 27th. Abby co-wrote this powerful song with Tom Douglas and Josh Kerr and sends a strong message to all of her fellow females earning herself a spot on a few 2018 Artists to Watch lists as well as being named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country.

If you remember Brad Paisley’s ‘Waitin’ on a Woman’ back in 2005, Abby’s new single ‘Make Him Wait’ conveys a very similar message that hits home.  Listen here to know what we are talking about!

While this song is directed towards her female fans, it’s easy to connect to. The lyrics are familiar, they sound almost identical to what we were told growing up, the values that were instilled in you, you can’t get it back when you give yourself away… a boy’s gonna run but a real man’s gonna stay… make him wait. ‘Make Him Wait’ is a love story. From waiting for the first phone call, to planning the first date. From meeting Dad, to the debating on whether or not a sleepover is the right decision.  Abby knows it can be difficult to wait, it’s easier to stay the night but reminds us to take a deep breath and do the opposite of what you wanna do, make him wait.

13 years ago, Brad knew what what he was talking about when he sang it was worth it, waitin’ on a woman.  Abby is right on track with instilling the same message.  This love story gets its own happily ever after with a walk down the aisle.  Listeners can hear the clear message that love is worth the wait.

While we don’t necessarily want to wait to hear more of Abby Anderson, we are excited that she will be coming to Boston on June 2 with Russell Dickerson at the Paradise Rock Club.

Favorite Lyrics: When they’re throwing rice into the air and those tin cans roll away and you look into his eyes and realize it was worth the while to make him wait…

Tyler Farr: ‘Love By The Moon’ Single Review

Tyler Farr’s latest release ‘Love By The Moon’ presents a change of pace from his previous hits ‘Redneck Crazy’ and ‘A Guy Walks Into A Bar.’ While Farr’s distinct textured voice is still front and center in this single, a fun and carefree attitude is presented. The song is an ode to the working class, love, and country living. The motto, Live by the sun, love by the moon, is repeated in what can only become a fun loving summer jam.

Summer imagery is consistently present in ‘Love By The Moon.’ ‘Round here it’s a summer time dip in the creek, ‘Round here we get high on the air we breathe, Raise ’em up if you know what I mean, is sang with a high energy that is certain to pump up a summer concert crowd. The expertly planned late April release could not have been timed better as we are getting the first tastes of warmer weather here in New England. With hard hitting drums and notable guitar riffs, this is a track we can turn up while cruising with the windows down on our way home from work or on our way to a night out. Farr opens the new single with, Round here we got our hands in the dirt all week, and with the addition of lyrics including, Pick up your girl when the workin’s through, it is clear that this is a song about enjoying the time you have with the people you love after a day of hard work.

‘Love By The Moon’ was written by James McNair, Ross Ellis, and Christopher Stevens, but Farr has expressed that he feels the single is about him and his wife. Tyler explained to radio, “Me and my wife Hannah have been married for a year and a half now, and this song is for her. We live in the country and enjoy our lives together on the farm. We laugh, work and play hard. This song is us!” Even as an artist, Farr relates to the song’s theme, “I’m away from home a lot. So, when I do get time at home, I make those days count and don’t take one for granted. We live by the sun and love by the moon. Yeah, That’s right!”

Farr told The Boot his recent marriage could be credited for a shift is his music while discussing his previous single, ‘I Should Go To Church Sometime.’ Farr explained, “Most of my songs, obviously, have been about walking into a bar, whiskey in my water, redneck crazy. So this is a little different, and I wanted to change it up. I got married last fall … it slows things down, and this song is a little different and kinda hits on a different note than I have before.” This shift is even more prominent in ‘Love by The Moon;’ while passion is displayed in Farr’s voice, we don’t even have a hint of his characteristic themes of regret or heartbreak. Since ‘Love By The Moon’ will be included on Tyler’s upcoming album along with ‘I Should Go To Church Sometime,’ we wonder if this adjustment will continue to be present.

Favorite Lyrics: Out here we count the stars ’til we can’t keep track, Ain’t got a doubt in good like that.

You can purchase ‘Love By The Moon’ on iTunes and connect with Tyler Farr through his Website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Midland: ‘Burn Out’ Single Review

Award-winning trio Midland recently released their third single, titled ‘Burn Out,’ off of their debut album, ‘On The Rocks.’ Known for their old school western attire and unique style, this new single directly reflects their persona. Co-written by the boys of Midland, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne, ‘Burn Out’ has a traditional country feel to it. The slow rolling melody and soft twang provide an aesthetically pleasing listening experience. The group’s exceptional harmonies are on full display during the chorus. Midland’s classic, throwback sound is quite refreshing amidst the plethora of pop-infused country songs that dominate the genre and today’s radio airwaves.

Many of Midland’s songs can be described as having poetic lyrics, including ‘Burn Out.’ “We write with a very visual storytelling approach. We paint that big picture and go to that place,” explains lead singer Mark Wystrach. ‘Burn Out’ tells the story of someone who has gone through a recent break up. They’re sitting in a bar attempting to cope with their sorrows. In keeping with the theme of the song the lyrics compare a relationship to a flame. If you put your hands on the flame, you’ve got no right to complain, ‘cause you know it’s gonna leave a mark, when the glow comes to an end. When beginning a relationship there is always the possibility of the worst-case scenario occurring and it not working out. As Midland suggests, love fizzling out like the glow of a flame is going to be heartbreaking no matter what. A fun fact is that ‘Burn Out’ is the prelude to Midland’s #1 hit ‘Drinkin’ Problem.’ Wystrach says of ‘Burn Out,’ “It almost explains how the archetype in ‘Drinkin’ Problem’ got to that place. It sets that song up, what drives a guy to get to that place.” With their creative songwriting and vintage sound it’s easy to see why Midland won the 2018 ACM Award for Best New Vocal Group of the Year. We can’t wait to see where their career goes from here.

You can catch Midland opening for Thomas Rhett on the Life Changes Tour later this year. They will be at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, ME on September 13th; Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT on September 14th and 15th; the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI on September 20th; and the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH on September 22nd.

Favorite Lyrics: Just watchin’ rivers run, down the side of my bottle, almost like it’s cryin’ my tears.

 You can buy ‘Burn Out’ here

Single Review: Sugarland ft. Taylor Swift ‘Babe’

As a self-proclaimed ‘Swiftie’ I was pumped when I heard the news that the upcoming Sugarland album, titled ‘Bigger,’ would feature a song written by Taylor, titled, ‘Babe.’ She’s gotten a lot of flak since her departure from country, but last year’s award-winning ‘Better Man’ proved that she still has a place in the genre. Like many good songwriters, Swift has a way of stringing together lyrics to convey a message or feeling that resonates universally. Even throughout her pop work, there’s no denying that Swift is a storyteller at heart – which is, of course, the backbone of country music.

What’s different about ‘Babe’ is that unlike ‘Better Man,’ this wasn’t written recently – it’s been hanging out in Swift’s back catalog for over five years. Taylor wrote the single with Train’s Pat Monahan during the ‘Red era,’ (while Taylor was still technically country) but the song never made the album. When she heard that Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush were getting Sugarland back together, the superstar approached them with the song. Jennifer Nettles told reporters at the ACM awards how the song came about, “She was excited we were getting back together and reached out and said, ‘Hey, I have a song.’ That is a short list, ladies and gentlemen, of people to whom she has said, ‘Hey I have a song, want to sing it?’ So we said yes.” The single is the only song on Sugarland’s upcoming album that the duo didn’t write themselves.

In December 2017, Sugarland released their first single in five years, ‘Still the Same,’ but it didn’t make a huge splash. ‘Babe,’ on the other hand, was generating buzz as soon as Sugarland announced the forthcoming album. Maybe because Taylor Swift always seems to make headlines, but regardless, ‘Babe’ is still a great song on its own. The charts prove it as it’s Sugarland’s 12th and Swift’s 20th Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart (dated May 5). ‘Babe’ also soared to the No.1 spot on the Country Digital Song Sales chart, and No. 2 on the all-genre.

There are so many reasons to love this song, for starters, Jennifer Nettles has a voice like no other. She pulls you in from the very first lines and by the time you reach the incredibly catchy chorus, you’re hooked. The lyrics are so unmistakably, classic Swift, and yes, the subject is a cheating ex-love, but don’t roll your eyes before you give it a listen. The moment of giving up and walking away, Swift expertly conveys in a number of songs, but does so with such simplicity here, it’s heartbreaking. “We said no one else, how could you do this, babe?” and “We ain’t getting through this one, babe.”

Not only did Swift lend a pen to the tune, she also lends her voice, which echoes in background and will surely echo in your head for the rest of the day. With just the right combination of drum beats and guitar riffs, it’s toe-tapping perfection. And although, like much of the ‘Red’ album, ‘Babe’ sounds pop-influenced, Nettles’ voice is so undeniably, country its ideal for radio. This song is the perfect reminder of the sweetness that is Sugarland, and Taylor Swift is just the cherry on top.

We can’t wait for Sugarland to make their big comeback with ‘Bigger,’ the duo’s first album in almost eight years, set to be released on June 8th.

You can purchase ‘Babe’ from iTunes, Google Play, or stream it on Spotify.

Favorite Lyrics: Your secret has its consequence and that’s on you, babe…

Devin Dawson: ‘Asking For A Friend’ Single Review

Devin Dawson earned the most added single to country radio last week with his latest release, ‘Asking For A Friend.’ The song will be familiar to fans of the country newcomer, since it is included on his debut album, ‘Dark Horse,‘ and was part of the setlist at Dawson’s recent New England performances. The vulnerable single does not fall short of what we expect from the ‘All On Me’ hit maker. With a made for radio upbeat chorus and lyrics that uniquely tell a familiar story line, ‘Asking For A Friend’ produces a song with room for the audience to make it their own.

Songwriters, Brett Beavers, Connie Harrington, and Devin Dawson, perfectly crafted this song. A twist on the classic story line of a boy vying for his dream girl after previously messing things up, Dawson approaches her, but is only “asking for a friend.” Like many country hits, the song’s chorus picks up speed and grabs the listener’s attention; What do you say? It’s Friday night and you’re beautiful, so beautiful, What man wouldn’t think you were the love of his life? He’d be a fool, he’d be a fool. The hook picks up the song’s mid-tempo speed, giving it some energy, and perfectly balances the coffee house vibe produced by remainder of the tune. These lyrics alone disguise the true message of the song with their carefree tone and loving message, but the next lines complicate things by mentioning that he is just asking for a friend.

It doesn’t take much reading between the lines to infer that Dawson probably isn’t just asking for a friend.  Devin sings, He ain’t ever been any good at laying it all out on the line, possibly as an excuse of why he insists on keeping his guard up while still attempting to expose his true feelings. Throughout the song, Dawson poses several unanswered questions while revealing his true motive; Let’s say this friend of mine went and messed up real bad, And he’d do anything in this world, girl, to get you back, Hey what kind of sorry would it take for a man to erase his worst mistake, And would this even begin to make a dent?   Devin further confirms our suspicions with, Yeah, what if I told you he hadn’t slept in weeks? And he was standing right here in front of you instead of me, Is there any way you could ever love him again?

A sense of urgency is created from the beginning of the tune with, Let’s say that someone wanted to dance, Would he have any snowball in hell of a chance, To get you out on the floor before this slow song ends? Any listener is also hoping for a resolution by the end of the song, but we never get an answer as to how this pleading turns out. ‘Asking For A Friend’ leaves us to ponder what could have happened and how we would react in a similar situation. This is only complemented by the use of direct questions. It is extremely intuitive to relate this track to past experiences while it prompts us to create our own answers. This makes for great songwriting and creates the personal connections we feel with music that strikes us.

If you missed his recent shows on The Long Way Tour with Brett Eldredge, Devin will be accompanying Brett on the Fall leg of the same tour with two New England Dates. On October 11th they will perform at the Ryan Center and on October 13th at the SNHU Arena. Tickets go on sale for these dates Friday May 11th.

Favorite Lyrics: If you can find it in your heart just to cut him some slack, He’ll be Johnny-on-the-spot here in two seconds flat, Yeah, he’s holding his breath, come on give him a second with you.

You can connect with Dawson on his Website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and listen to ‘Asking For A Friend’ on Apple Music.

Brett Eldredge Experiences Full Circle Moment in Connecticut

Mohegan Sun is one of our favorite places to visit in New England- sure the gaming is fun (but that gets expensive) and the dining is out of this world but one of the best things about Mohegan Sun are the concerts. With two popular venues inside the resort, it’s a popular place for concert fans to come to. There’s the Wolf Den which is in the middle of the casino floor which offers free shows for fans 21+ with all different levels of talent and of course the 10,000 seat arena where you can see superstars like Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and more.

Many artists who come up this way in the early years of their career play the Wolf Den. If you’ve ever gotten the chance to walk downstairs to the artist dressing rooms, the walls are littered with signatures of everyone who has played there- and we can attest that there are some big names on those walls.

And with these two venues, comes the opportunity for a full circle moment. Something that country star Brett Eldredge got to experience this past weekend when he stopped at Mohegan to headline the arena.

He posted the below photo to his social media platforms, writing, “5 years ago we played a 300 person venue outside of this arena called the The Wolf Den…after the show on the little stage, I snuck in the arena to check it out…it was huge…I thought to myself how crazy it would be to get to play here one day! Last night, you all SOLD OUT the entire arena! As you can see, the excitement had me LEVITATING! God I love ya! Thank you”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiK-I0Hlk2x/?hl=en&taken-by=bretteldredge

What a cool moment for country music fans in New England to be part of! And Brett isn’t the first country artist to recently experience this either! Cole Swindell played to a capacity crowd in the Wolf Den in November of 2015 and returned earlier this year to headline the arena as well!

Were you there this weekend to see Brett in the arena? Were you at his Wolf Den show 5 years ago? Were you there for both!? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter posts!

KENNY CHESNEY OFFERS SONGS FOR THE SAINTS 7/27

“An Album About the Places That Save You”

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — In every artist’s career, certain albums stand out as a significant piece of their soul. For Kenny Chesney, ‘Songs for the Saints’ is that album. Co-produced with Buddy Cannon, the 12 tracks mark a deep dive into “the places that save you.”

“So much has happened since I went off the road in 2016,” Chesney explains. “And all of it, in one way or another, has ended up on this record. It’s special to me because of what it says – to me, and for me – about life, the world around us, how fragile it all can be and about somehow still finding the best parts of you, and moving towards them.”

Due July 27, ‘Songs for the Saints’ marks the 8-time Entertainer of the Year’s first album on Blue Chair/Warner Bros. Nashville. In many ways, this new home for his work mirrors the things that inspired this album.

“Leaving a place where I’d spent my whole career was both scary and exciting,” Chesney concedes. “There’s that rush of not knowing anything about how this company works, and digging in. But there’s also a special thrill of being around people who truly understand what you’re doing and who are excited to be part of this music. It’s inspiring in all new ways when you have people match your own passion for the music.”

Recorded over the last several months, Chesney had a notion about what his record was going to be long before it galvanized into ‘Songs for the Saints.’ “I was at a turning point in my life on so many levels, and then Hurricane Irma hit the Virgin Islands.”

“But this album isn’t about St. John, so much as it’s about what happened to St. John and all those islands you didn’t see on the news,” continues the man called “The People’s Superstar” by The Los Angeles Times. “To just see the devastation and what that does to people is one thing, but then there’s this courage and resilience people find…”

“This is not a literal record,” he cautions, “but it is an album about the refuges we all have, how temporary life is and the way we navigate to better places, dig in and face the destruction. And sometimes, we learn to own our wild hearts in the process.”

Beyond the euphoric ‘Get Along,’ the banjo and people-positive message tempo track hovering outside the Top 10, Chesney wrote or co-write five tracks. As with any release from the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar, there are songwriters getting their first cuts, surprise collaborations, an obscure jewel and the emotional fabric that makes the No Shoes Nation a place rich with heart, tenacity and the will to embrace life on its terms.

“I feel like I know what this album’s supposed to be, and I know how much it means to me,” he says. “I wanted to get it just right, before we set a release date… and I think we’ve got it. I’m just glad we’ll have it out in time for me to play some of these songs this summer before the Trip Around the Sun Tour is over.”

Carrie Underwood: ‘Cry Pretty’ Single Review

On April 11th, Carrie Underwood released her latest single ‘Cry Pretty’. It is the first song to be included on her upcoming album of the same name, which is slated to be released on September 14th. With an accomplished career as the woman with the most number one hits on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart, Carrie’s success is not an accident. She consistently wows the country audience with her powerful vocals, passionate delivery, and relatability. This song is no different. It is clear why the singer has chosen this track as a leading single and seems very natural to say that Carrie has done it again. The power ballad was written by Carrie Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, and Lori McKenna and sends an empowering message.

The lyrics, You can pretty lie and say it’s okay, You can pretty smile and just walk away, Pretty much fake your way through anything, But you can’t cry pretty, are intensely delivered by Carrie in the single’s slow, but catchy chorus. One listen to the captivating song will have you humming along to its passionate melody. Carrie’s knockout delivery takes the forefront in this single, as with many of her previous hits. Her voice reflects a vulnerability that makes it clear that she identifies with the song’s message. Set to a slow, but enthralling instrumental, the words the all women group of songwriters chose are emotional, honest, and empowering. The entirety of the song is very relatable for anyone who has struggled to keep their composure while holding back emotions; You can’t turn off the flood when the dam breaks. Carrie wrote in a letter to her fans, “It really speaks to a lot of things that have happened in the past year and I hope when you hear it, you can relate those feelings to those times in your life. It’s emotional. It’s real. And it ROCKS!”

The world television debut performance of ‘Cry Pretty’ was delivered by Underwood during the ACM Awards. Carrie sported glitter tears as part of her makeup to match the look she revealed in the songs promotional photos. This was her first public appearance after a horrific fall in November that left her with a broken wrist and the need for more than 40 stitches on her face. Much of the buzz around this performance is about if anyone can see a difference in her appearance, but what we should be recognizing is that she absolutely killed the performance. While belting out the ballad, the thought of the song’s relevance to her situation recovering from the accident was apparent; she received a heartfelt and well-deserved standing ovation from the audience. We are happy to see that Carrie is doing well and getting back out on stage. She has even hinted that a tour is on the horizon soon. She has no New England show dates planned yet, but you can keep up with Carrie on her Website, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

You can purchase ‘Cry Pretty’ on iTunes here.

Favorite Lyrics: But sometimes my emotions get the best of me, And falling apart is as human as it gets.

Old Dominion: ‘Hotel Key’ Single Review

Old Dominion recently released their latest single, titled ‘Hotel Key,’ to country radio. It is perhaps one of the best songs off their already popular sophomore album, ‘Happy Endings,’ which debuted at Number One on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. Those who fell in love with Old Dominion’s classics such as ‘No Such Thing As A Broken Heart,’ ‘Written in the Sand,’ and ‘Snapback’ are in for a treat with this one.

It has been a really long cold winter here in New England, and this tune brings with it a hot summer vibe. It may be the shortest song on the album, but it easily packs a punch. The electric guitar riffs and steady drum beat draw us in as we wait for the lyrics to begin. ‘Hotel Key’ is catchy, upbeat, and fun-loving. It describes the memories of a hotel fling: Neither one of us looking for three little words. Unless those three words was do not disturb. The song goes on with: Wondered if anyone’d miss us if we went away. But this isn’t one of those stories that ends up that way. Back in June of last year, Old Dominion told New England Country Music: “We definitely have some heavier subject matter on this album, but there are still the goofy guys in Old Dominion as we’re still us.” Far from a serious tune, we were singing along to the chorus after hearing ‘Hotel Key’ for the very first time. She kept the hotel key. Slipped it in her purse. I guess it makes her think of me. And that night we left our hearts on our sleeves and the clothes all over the floor. We both know we can’t open the door. She kept the hotel key. The key, in this song, serves as a souvenir that holds all the memories of this special night. One has to wonder, when she slips the hotel key into her purse is it as a memory of a single night of magic, or does it join a stack of others? Old Dominion has really created something good with this one. It is definitely a song that we will hear cranked up loud at the beach in a few short months.

‘Hotel Key’ was written by Old Dominion’s band member Trevor Rosen, lead singer Matthew Ramsey, as well as Josh Osborne. The five member band has gained a loyal fan base here in New England after opening for Kenny Chesney three years in a row. They’ll be here again this summer, at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, ME on August 16th and at the Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, Vermont on August 24th.

Favorite Lyrics: We left the lights. We left the crowd. We left the world and locked it out. She left a picture in my head. She left the night I can’t forget, but…

You can purchase ‘Hotel Key’ on iTunes here.

Keith Urban: ‘Coming Home’ Single Review

‘Coming Home’ is the second single off of Keith Urban’s upcoming new album ‘Graffiti U,’ which is scheduled to be released this Friday, April 27th. Keith co-wrote the song with JR Rotem, Nicolle Galyon, and pop singer Julia Michaels, who is featured on the track. As we’ve seen recently, country/pop collaborations are becoming increasingly popular and this is another one that is sure to climb the charts. Julia Michaels’ vocals add a nice touch to the catchy, upbeat melody and the harmonies between her and Urban at the end are on point. The distorted guitar riff gives the song a unique, really cool vibe that’s unlike anything on country radio today.

Keith Urban pays homage to the legendary Merle Haggard during the intro of ‘Coming Home.’ In an interview with Taste of Country, Keith described how the song came about, “‘Coming Home’ started with an idea I had of using the intro of one of my favorite Haggard songs, ‘Mama Tried,’ to build an entirely new song around it. I called Theresa Haggard and Ben Haggard to play them what we’d been working on. It was important to me to have their blessing and I’m so grateful that they love the song.” In another touching tribute, Keith officially listed Merle as a songwriter on the tune. The concept of incorporating someone else’s song into your own can be quite risky, especially if they’re as iconic as Haggard, but in this case it paid off brilliantly for Urban.

It’s easy to feel a connection to ‘Coming Home’ because the lyrics are so relatable. For Keith, this is particularly true. He explains, “Hearing that rolling Haggard guitar lick sparked memories of my childhood and my dream to come to America. I knew right then the story of the song was about the struggles of being in a city where your dreams have brought you, but far from your home – wherever, whomever and whatever that is for each of us.” Keith’s feelings are echoed in the verse, I’m feeling lost in all the madness, I need somewhere to ease my mind, these sidewalks filled with different faces, so many places but there’s none like mine. These lyrics paint a picture of the challenges of living in a place where you don’t know anyone. It’s very difficult being away from your family, friends, and everything you’ve ever known for an extended period of time but returning to the familiarities of your home can provide an immediate sense of comfort. After hearing ‘Coming Home’ and the previously released first single ‘Female,’ we’re greatly looking forward to Keith’s new album.

Keith Urban is set to embark on the Graffiti U World Tour this summer with Kelsea Ballerini. Lucky for us, they’ll be making several stops in New England: July 5th and 6th at the Bank of NH Pavilion in Gilford, NH; August 4th at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA; August 5th at Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, ME; and September 7th and 8th at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Favorite Lyrics: There’s a place that I know where they all know me, I gotta get back now to the ones who love me.

You can buy ‘Coming Home’ on iTunes here.