Well I'll Be Damned, Chris Shiflett Is Pretty Good At This Country Thing

You can imagine how excited I get when I hear of a rock, pop, or other genre artist decide they want to dabble in country music. Sure, every now and then you get some cool surprises like Don Henley, but more than once we've been disappointed by others such as Steven Tyler and especially Bret Michaels.

So when I heard that Chris Shiflett (guitarist for the Foo Fighters) had a new country song out, I was skeptical. But I'll be damned, not only is Chris' new song pretty damn great, he's also dabbled in country before to exceptional degrees. You learn something new every day!

Chris released his first solo country album in 2010 titled, Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants as well as a collection of honky-tonk covers in 2013 with All Hat and No Cattle. Quite frankly I'm surprised I'm just hearing about this now.

Joey Feek's Spirit Lives On With 'If Not For You'

Although she is gone from this world, Joey Feek's spirit lives on. On April 7th of this year, we will be treated to a brand new solo album from Joey titled, If Not For You (released via the Gaither Music Group).

The album itself is said to capture Joey's life story, including her small town roots as well as her family heritage. There will be a special edition of this that is said to include a forty-eight page of photos, memories, and stories penned by Joey as well as her husband, Rory.

This is an absolutely touching gift to receive as a music listener, and to say I'm excited would be an understatement. For those who don't know, Joey was one half of the country music duo Joey + Rory until March of last year when Joey died of abdominal cancer.

Travis Meadows Signs With BMG

From Music Row Magazine - "BMG has signed singer-songwriter Travis Meadows. The Jackson, Mississippi native has penned radio singles including Jake Owen’s “What We Ain’t Got,” and Dierks Bentley’s “Riser.” He also contributed “Knives of New Orleans” to Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood project, and “Dark Side” on Church’s The Outsiders.

Meadows also earned industry acclaim for own albums Killin’ Uncle Buzzy, which took an honest look at coping with addiction, and its follow-up Old Ghosts and Unfinished Business."

This is absolutely awesome news. Travis is one of my favorite songwriters in the industry right now, so to see him gain this deal is absolutely amazing. With the way country music has been improving lately, this is another sign of quality (well, what I think to be quality) triumphing.

Sam Outlaw Announces The Release Of 'Tenderheart'

Sam Outlaw has recently announced the release of his sophomore album, 'Tenderheart'. The project is due for release on April 14th through Six Shooter Records.

The project will be the followup to Sam's critically acclaimed debut album, 'Angeleno' from 2015. From my understanding, the tracks for this album were recorded in the San Fernando Valley and co-produced by Sam as well as Martin Pradler.

Sam also promises to deliver another album in the vein of 'Angeleno', one that blends Bakersfield, Countrypolitan, and Western Swing.

With the announcement of this album as well as albums from artists such as Jason Eady, Marty Stuart, Charlie Worsham, Rhiannon Giddens and more, this is shaping up to be a hell of a year,

'Tenderheart' tracklisting:

1. Everyone’s Looking For Home
2. Bottomless Mimosas
3. Bougainvillea, I Think
4. Tenderheart
5. Trouble
6. She’s Playing Hard To Get (Rid Of)
7. Two Broken Hearts
8. Diamond Ring
9. Say It To Me
10. All My Life
11. Dry In The Sun
12. Now She Tells Me
13. Look At You Now

Zac Brown Band Readies New Album, 'Welcome Home' Due In May

The Zac Brown Band have recently announced the release of their fifth studio album (twelfth overall), Welcome Home to be released May 12th, 2017. The album will be the group's followup to their 2015 album, Jekyll + Hyde. 

Not too much is known about the project thus far other than the lead single being "My Old Man" (impacting immediately at radio, as well as being available to hear this Friday). In addition, the project is also the band's promise to return to their older sound after their experimental trip with Jekyll + Hyde. If you go on the group's official Twitter account, you can hear a sample of what is presumably either their new single or a cut from the new project.