NASHVILLE, TENN. – Multi-Platinum country superstar Dallas Smith returns today with the release of his brand-new single, “Good Time Goes,” available now via Big Loud/Local Hay Records on all streaming platforms and impacting Canadian country radio immediately.

Written by Blake Pendergrass, Sam Ellis and McCoy Moore, the highly anticipated track marks Smith’s first solo release since his 2023 hits “Use Me” and “CRZY,” and ushers in a new era.

Following an ambitious 52-date tour across Canada in the fall and winter of 2025, Smith made the intentional decision to step away from the road and reconnect with the parts of life that often take a backseat to a demanding touring schedule. Over the past few months, he focused on spending time with family, building his dream home and returning to the studio with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity.

That time away laid the foundation for “Good Time Goes,” a song that captures the perspective that comes with appreciating life’s moments as they happen and embracing the passage of time.

“‘Good Time Goes’ felt like the perfect song to introduce this next chapter,” says Smith. “After being on the road for so long, it was important for me to spend time with my family, slow things down and reconnect. Getting back into the studio was incredibly inspiring, and I wanted the first song out of the gate to have some energy and feel-good momentum behind it. I’m excited to finally share it and let people hear what we’ve been working on.”

As Smith begins this next chapter, his influence continues to reach new milestones. Recently, both “Lifted” and “Jumped Right In” were certified Platinum selling albums, further cementing a career that now includes 14 No. 1 singles at Canadian country radio, millions of streams and a string of fan-favorite hits that have helped define the genre over the past decade. Yet despite the success, “Good Time Goes” reflects an artist who remains grounded in the experiences that matter most.

While Smith remains one of the most accomplished artists in Canadian country music, “Good Time Goes” isn’t about looking back. It’s about moving forward, carrying the lessons learned from years spent chasing dreams while embracing the life built along the way.

For fans who have followed Smith’s journey from packed arenas to chart-topping radio hits, the song offers a glimpse into where he is today: grounded, grateful, creatively energized and excited about what’s ahead.

ABOUT DALLAS SMITH

Big Loud/Local Hay Records recording artist Dallas Smith continues to build on a legacy of genre-defying success as one of the most celebrated voices in country music. A multi-Platinum entertainer, Smith first rose to prominence as frontman of the multi-Platinum rock band Default before making a landmark transition into country music, where he has since become a defining force in the genre.

His career highlights include 14 No. 1 singles at Canadian country radio, 21 Gold-certified singles, nine Platinum-certified singles, four Gold-certified albums, and two Platinum-certified albums alongside more than 748 million global streams to date. Smith is a 3x consecutive CCMA Entertainer of the Year and a two-time JUNO Award winner, further cementing his status among the most awarded Canadian country artists of his generation.

In 2023, Smith made his debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage, marking a significant milestone in his career and international recognition within country music’s most iconic institution. Known for his commanding live performances and connection with audiences, Smith has also earned a reputation as one of the genre’s premier touring artists. Following a 52-date tour in 2025, he stepped back from the road to focus on family life, building his dream home, and returning to the studio with renewed creative energy.

Now in 2026, Smith returns with “Good Time Goes,” the first release of a new chapter in his career.

CONNECT WITH DALLAS SMITH

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Media Contact

Charlotte Thompson | Red Umbrella PR

Charlotte@RedUmbrellaPR.com

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post DALLAS SMITH RETURNS WITH FIRST SOLO SINGLE IN THREE YEARS, “GOOD TIME GOES” appeared first on Big Loud.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR FIRST-EVER HOMETOWN HEADLINE SHOW AT NASHVILLE’S EXIT/IN ON OCTOBER 8

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters Tennessee songbird Lauren Watkins releases “Convenient,”out now. Written by Watkins with award-winning writers Will Bundy, Emily Landis and Mark Trussell, the breezy, barroom-ready track continues a summer of new music from Watkins that kicked off in May with “Heartbreakaholic,” her first release since 2025’s 10-track album In A Perfect World.

With “Convenient,” Watkins leans further into the candid, clear-eyed storytelling that has quickly become her signature, capturing the pull of an old flame and the type of truth that is easier to feel than admit. The track arrives as another glimpse into a new chapter for the Nashville native — one that finds her sharper, freer and more unfiltered than ever. 

“I’ve had ‘Convenient’ in my back pocket for a couple years now and have been waiting for the right time to share it with the world,” shares Watkins. “I channeled the feeling of running into an old flame at the bar. You’re supposed to act like you wanna turn around and leave, but everybody knows there’s actually something thrilling about it. This song is unapologetically admitting to that excitement — the fun, the tension and the part you don’t really want to say out loud.”

Tickets are on sale now for Watkins’ first-ever hometown headline show at Nashville’s Exit/In on Thursday, Oct. 8. The newly announced show follows recent dates with Dylan Scott and upcoming dates with Luke Bryan as Watkins continues bringing her old-school country grit and “direct-yet-poetic songwriting” (Billboard) to stages across the country. 

Last year, Watkins made her debut on some of music’s biggest stages, including the Grand Ole Opry, NBC’s TODAY and Madison Square Garden, as well as touring with Zach Top, Riley Green and Lainey Wilson. Following a breakout year of firsts, Watkins enters the second half of 2026 with “Heartbreakaholic” and “Convenient” out now, with more new music on the way and a few things still left to get off her chest. For tour dates and more information, keep up with Watkins at laurenwatkins.com and on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT LAUREN WATKINS:

After an acclaimed album debut and a year-plus on the road with stars like Morgan Wallen, Riley Green and Lainey Wilson – plus Billboard accolades and a monumental first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry – Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters artist Lauren Watkins has emerged as a proudly defiant projection of pure country-music moxy. A Nashville native inspired by crowd-pleasing outlaws like Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert, Watkins’ 17-track 2024 debut, The Heartbroken Record, introduced a mainstream maverick with a thirst for lyrical truth – and an old-school country rebel whose modern instincts never succumb to trends. Coming to know the fast lane by heart, the modern-classic singer-songwriter has racked up millions of streams and rocked full-on stadiums, while learning from legendary songwriters like Nicolle Galyon, Luke Laird and The Warren Brothers. Yet In A Perfect World finds Watkins in a fresh phase, with her dreamy vocal awake to new charms and challenges. Featuring an earthy mix of sunset country and hazy heartland grit, she’s no longer expecting to get her heart broken, and not pushing the idea of home away. Produced by husband and CMA/ACM Award winner Will Bundy, with additional co-production from hitmaker Joey Moi on select tracks, Watkins builds on her of-the-moment and always-organic sound; 10 co-written songs capturing the passion and promise of a new outlook. Steel guitars and ethereal atmosphere create a sense of wide-open space, while bold twang and rootsy rhythms keep the Tennessee songbird’s vocal grounded. With In A Perfect World, Watkins captured a season of growth and self-discovery, setting the stage for new music led by “Heartbreakaholic,” out now. She continues to bring that sound to stages across the country while touring with Dylan Scott and Luke Bryan throughout 2026.

CONNECT WITH LAUREN WATKINS

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Media Contacts

Olivia Hanceri + Lexi Leatherwood | OH Creative

olivia@theohcreative.com, lexi@theohcreative.com

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post LAUREN WATKINS LEANS INTO THE THRILL ON NEW TRACK “CONVENIENT” appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, Stephen Wilson Jr. released a live version of his single “Gary” that was recorded during his Nissan Stadium performance at CMA Fest 2026. Last night, his powerful solo performance aired during the ABC primetime special “CMA Fest Presented By SoFi,” which is now available to stream on demand on Hulu.

“Gary (Live At CMA Fest 2026)” follows the release of Wilson Jr.’s latest single “Preacher’s Kid” which was released earlier this month. The song was named a Song You Need To Know by Rolling Stone and was featured in Billboard’sNew Music Friday Guide, with All Country News proclaiming, “[the] sprawling, electrifying new track that arrives as both a statement and a reminder of why Wilson remains one of the most fascinating storytellers working today.”

Wilson Jr. premiered “Gary” late last year with an electrifying performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and also performed it on This Past Weekend with Theo Von and The Howard Stern Show. In March, he released the official video for “Gary,” which stars award-winning actor Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Apollo 13). The song is currently in the Top 40 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay Chart.

The video marked his ninth collaboration with director Tim Cofield who also directed his official video for “Cuckoo,” which took home the ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year in May.

Throughout the rest of the year, Wilson Jr. will tour the US and Europe on his headline Gary The Torch Tour that will culminate with two shows at The Truth in Nashville, TN on December 11 and 12. He will also tour as part of the Outlaw Music Festival this summer, and will support Dave Matthews Band on September 4 at the Gorge Amphitheater and Brandi Carlile on September 11-13 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Find a full list of tour dates below or visit his website.

2026 Tour Dates:
6/30 – Dublin, IE – Summer Series

7/3 – Irving, TX – Outlaw Music Festival *

7/4 – Austin, TX – Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic

7/5 – Woodlands, TX – Outlaw Music Festival *
7/10 – St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Yacht Club Festival *
7/11 – Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Folk Festival *
7/17 – Spokane, WA – BECU Live at Northern Quest #
7/18 – Whitefish, MT – Under the Big Sky Festival *
7/23 – Floyd, VA – FloydFest *
7/24 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome by Rutter Mills #
7/25 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion #
8/7 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre #
8/8 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater #

8/18 – Maryland Heights, MO – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/21 – East Troy, WI – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/22 – Clarkston, MI – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/23 – Noblesville, IN – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/25 – Tinley Park, IL – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/28 – Wantagh, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/29 – Bethel, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *

8/30 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Outlaw Music Festival *

9/4 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre ^
9/6 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium #
9/11–9/13 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre %

9/17 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre #

9/18 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre # SOLD OUT

9/19 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge (Concerts in the Grove) #
9/22 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater #
9/24 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic #
9/29 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre #
10/15 – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena #
10/17 – Sligo, IE – Sligo Live Festival *
10/19 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow # SOLD OUT

10/20 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy Glasgow #

10/22 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton #
10/23 – Bristol, UK – The Prospect Building #
10/25 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse #
10/27 – Paris, FR – Le Trianon #
10/29 – Zurich, CH – Volkshaus #
10/30 – Cologne, DE – Theater am Tanzbrunnen #
11/1 – Utrecht, NL – TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) #
11/3 – Copenhagen, DK – VEGA #
11/4 – Stockholm, SE – Fållan #
11/5 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene #
11/20–11/22 – St. Petersburg, FL – St. Pete Country Fest *
11/21 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company # SOLD OUT
12/2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at The Wylie #
12/9 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy #
12/11 – Nashville, TN – The Truth # SOLD OUT

12/12 – Nashville, TN – The Truth #

1/20-23 – Cancun, MX – Dave & Tim Riviera Maya 2027

* Festival
 # Gary The Torch Tour
 ^ Supporting Dave Matthews Band
 % Supporting Brandi Carlile

CONNECT WITH STEPHEN WILSON JR. 

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

ABOUT STEPHEN WILSON JR.
Stephen Wilson Jr.’s journey from the hollers of southern Indiana to Nashville, Tenn. has been a winding road that’s taken many detours: He’s been an Indiana State Golden Gloves boxing championship finalist, a scientist, and a lead guitarist and songwriter in an indie rock band. In 2016, he ditched his laboratory 9-to-5 and signed a publishing deal with BMG Nashville where his alchemic songcraft immediately made waves, leading to cuts from Caitlyn Smith, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash and more. 2023 proved to be Wilson Jr.’s breakthrough year, signing with Big Loud Records and releasing his critically-acclaimed debut double album søn of dad: a triumphant, genre-spanning set of 22 songs dedicated to his late father and given to the world on the five-year anniversary of his passing. In 2024, Stephen’s star grew as he made his network television debut on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, followed by performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series and Later…with Jools Holland. Ahead of the one-year anniversary of søn of dad, Wilson Jr. was also profiled in an extensive feature for CBS Saturday Morning, and last year, he released a deluxe edition of the album which featured a moving interpretation of “Stand By Me” that has been streamed tens of millions of times. Last November, he earned his first CMA Award nomination for New Artist of the Year and played twice on the broadcast – a moving performance of his song “Took A Walk” from the film The Long Walk with Shaboozey and a star-making rendition of “Stand By Me.” To close out the year, he released new single “Gary,” which he debuted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and is currently climbing the country radio charts. Fresh off his first ACM Award win for Visual Media of the Year for the video for his song “Cuckoo”, Stephen is currently in the midst of his Gary The Torch Tour headline tour that extends through December across the US and Europe/UK. This year, he will also share the stage with Dave Matthews Band at The Gorge Amphitheatre and Brandi Carlile for 3 nights at Red Rocks. He’ll also perform at Nissan Stadium at this year’s CMA Fest before playing Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic. 

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Media Contacts

Joe Sivick + Bryan Ros | Missing Piece Group

joe@missingpiecegroup.com, bryan@missingpiecegroup.com

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post STEPHEN WILSON JR. RELEASES “GARY (LIVE AT CMA FEST 2026)” appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Announced today, songwriter Nick Boyd has signed a publishing deal with ERN’s Cadillac Music and Jordan Schmidt (Ella Langley, Kane Brown) via Big Loud Publishing. With over a decade in Music City under his belt, Boyd embarks on this new chapter with the self-assurance of an experienced songwriter.

“The day I stepped foot in the building, I felt right at home,” Boyd shares. “I couldn’t be more excited to work with ERNEST, Jordan Schmidt and the rest of the Cadillac Music/Big Loud Publishing team. In a town with a million great songs, champions like them make the difference.”

“I started hearing Nick’s songs about a year or so ago,” adds ERN’s Cadillac Music Founder and CEO ERNEST. “He has been writing great ones with my guy Cody Lohden and just became a name we’d see time and time again right by an outstanding song. When Jordan Schmidt called me and asked if he wanted to do this together, it made perfect sense to me.

“Jordan, a longtime friend and collaborator in town, has over a decade of hits as a writer and producer. So, combining his experience with a topliner / spark plug like Nick seemed like a no brainer. I love getting to know talent in this town. There is no shortage of it and Nick Boyd is no exception,” ERNEST continues.

“Nick is a beast of a writer and a beauty of a human,” shares Jordan Schmidt. “I can’t wait for Nashville to see what we see in him!”

From Rock Island, Ill., Boyd grew up in the heart of the Midwest absorbing music from all genres – the perfect harmonies of his grandfather’s Eagles’ records, the pop sensibilities of Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake, to his father’s Garth Brooks’ CDs. In 2014, Nick moved to Nashville where he attended Belmont University. During his four years at Belmont, Nick discovered the magic of songwriting and co-writing, learning from his peers, classmates and teachers. Nick’s original music led him to win Belmont University’s Curb College Country Music Showcase and afforded him a spot in Belmont’s School of Music’s Commercial Showcase. Signing a publishing deal with Liz Rose Music in 2019, Nick continued to develop as a writer, citing influences including Jason Isbell, Craig Wiseman and Ryan Tedder. His recent cuts include “Drinks Can Drink” and “TV On” by Cody Lohden, ATLUS’s “Spare Key,” “California Fit In Tennessee” by Tayler Holder and Brody Clementi’s “Act Like You Don’t.”

ABOUT ERN’S CADILLAC MUSIC

Doubling down on his investment in Nashville’s songwriting community, mononymous triple threat talent ERNEST founded ERN’s Cadillac Music in partnership with Big Loud Publishing in 2023. Built on passion for the craft of songwriting, old-school creative values and a collaborative spirit, the dynamic roster includes Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Kyle Fishman, Jacob Durrett, Mark Holman, Nick Boyd, Rafe Tenpenny and Rhys Rutherford. The chart-topping creatives have been recognized by GRAMMY®, CMA and ACM for their contributions. Making an indelible mark on culture, ERN’s Cadillac Music is behind smash records like Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion, including all-genre No. 1 “I Had Some Help (feat. Morgan Wallen),” songs from Bailey Zimmerman, Charles Wesley Godwin and more.

ABOUT BIG LOUD PUBLISHING

Tailor-made by GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter Craig Wiseman in 2003, the man in the “big loud shirt” has inspired the same bold, creative statement that cements Big Loud Publishing as one of the most successful independent music publishers in Nashville. Their stable of top-tier songwriters includes Wiseman, Joey Moi, Ashley Cooke, Blake Coddington, Brock Phillips, Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Eli Winders, Grady Block, Hailey Benedict, Jacob Durrett, Jake Worthington, John Byron, Jordan Dozzi, Kashus Culpepper, Larry Fleet, Lars Pruitt, Lauren Watkins, Luke Preston, Mark Holman, Matt McCartney, Max Martin, Nick Boyd, Rafe Tenpenny, Rhys Rutherford and Rocky Block. To date, the Big Loud Publishing lineup has penned over 300 singles including three GRAMMY® Award winners (Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away”), and 90 No.1 hits for artists like George Strait, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Faith Hill, Thomas Rhett and more.

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Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post NICK BOYD INKS PUBLISHING DEAL WITH ERN’S CADILLAC MUSIC AND JORDAN SCHMIDT VIA BIG LOUD PUBLISHING  appeared first on Big Loud.

WATKINS TO RELEASE NEW TRACK “CONVENIENT” THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 26

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters Tennessee songbird Lauren Watkins has announced her first hometown headline show at Nashville’s Exit/In on Thursday, October 8. Tickets will be available for purchase starting this Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m. CT via laurenwatkinsmusic.com.

The show marks a full-circle moment for the Nashville native, bringing Watkins home for her first-ever Nashville headline show after a year spent bringing her old-school country grit and “direct-yet-poetic songwriting” (Billboard) to stages across the country. Following recent dates with Dylan Scott and upcoming dates with Luke Bryan, Watkins will return home for a headline night of her own.

In addition to the Nashville show announcement, Watkins has also announced the release of her next song, “Convenient,”out this Friday, June 26. Written by Watkins with Will Bundy, Emily Landis and Mark Trussell, the track will continue a summer of new music from Watkins that kicked off in May with “Heartbreakaholic,” her first release following 2025’s 10-track album In A Perfect World. All Country News praised the track for continuing to “cement Watkins as one of country music’s most promising young storytellers,” noting that she “carries the emotional precision of classic country while delivering it through a modern lens.” Pre-Save “Convenient” here. 

Last year, Watkins made her debut on some of music’s biggest stages, including the Grand Ole Opry, NBC’s TODAY and Madison Square Garden, as well as touring with Zach Top, Riley Green and Lainey Wilson. For tour dates and more information, keep up with Watkins at laurenwatkins.com and on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT LAUREN WATKINS:

After an acclaimed album debut and a year-plus on the road with stars like Morgan Wallen, Riley Green and Lainey Wilson – plus Billboard accolades and a monumental first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry – Big Loud Records / Songs & Daughters artist Lauren Watkins has emerged as a proudly defiant projection of pure country-music moxy. A Nashville native inspired by crowd-pleasing outlaws like Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Lee Ann Womack and Miranda Lambert, Watkins’ 17-track 2024 debut, The Heartbroken Record, introduced a mainstream maverick with a thirst for lyrical truth – and an old-school country rebel whose modern instincts never succumb to trends. Coming to know the fast lane by heart, the modern-classic singer-songwriter has racked up millions of streams and rocked full-on stadiums, while learning from legendary songwriters like Nicolle Galyon, Luke Laird and The Warren Brothers. Yet In A Perfect World finds Watkins in a fresh phase, with her dreamy vocal awake to new charms and challenges. Featuring an earthy mix of sunset country and hazy heartland grit, she’s no longer expecting to get her heart broken, and not pushing the idea of home away. Produced by husband and CMA/ACM Award winner Will Bundy, with additional co-production from hitmaker Joey Moi on select tracks, Watkins builds on her of-the-moment and always-organic sound; 10 co-written songs capturing the passion and promise of a new outlook. Steel guitars and ethereal atmosphere create a sense of wide-open space, while bold twang and rootsy rhythms keep the Tennessee songbird’s vocal grounded. With In A Perfect World, Watkins captured a season of growth and self-discovery, setting the stage for new music led by “Heartbreakaholic,” out now. She continues to bring that sound to stages across the country while touring with Dylan Scott and Luke Bryan throughout 2026.

CONNECT WITH LAUREN WATKINS

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

Media Contacts

Olivia Hanceri + Lexi Leatherwood | OH Creative

olivia@theohcreative.com, lexi@theohcreative.com

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post LAUREN WATKINS ANNOUNCES FIRST-EVER HOMETOWN HEADLINE SHOW AT NASHVILLE’S EXIT/IN ON OCTOBER 8 appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Keeping her hot streak rolling, Country hitmaker Ashley Cooke is bringing her hit song “baby blues” to Country radio. The longtime fan-favorite officially impacted the airwaves yesterday (6/22) among the most added singles on Mediabase with 70 first-week stations on board nationwide, adding to the massive anticipation for Cooke’s self-titled sophomore album (due out via Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music on August 14). Go here to pre-order/pre-save ashley cooke now.

Written by Cooke, Johnny Clawson, Joe Fox, Kyle Sturrock, and Seth Ennis, “baby blues” celebrates the kind of all-consuming chemistry that never fades. With its simmering guitar lines and low-slung grooves, the soulful Country stunner centers on a sweetly seductive vocal performance from Cooke, who strikes a perfect balance of smoldering intensity and tender affection. Arriving on the heels of her recent Country radio hit “the hell you are” (another standout from ashley cooke), “baby blues” shot to No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown while also climbing Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs and the UK Country Airplay chart, and has racked up over 50 MILLION global streams to date (adding to her 700 MILLION+ total career streams).

As “baby blues” earns its place among her signature songs, Cooke has added a much-talked-about new ritual to her live set: an already-iconic moment in which she searches the crowd for a baby-blue-eyed audience member, then directly serenades that fan for the final verse. As part of her action-packed CMA Fest week, she selected influencer Hunter Massey as her blue-eyed muse for her performance at the Chevy Riverfront Stage (watch here), then brought out comedian/actor Matt Rife during her Billboard Country Live set at Category 10 (check it out here). With the “baby blues” tradition drawing widespread buzz, Holler praised Cooke for “creating lifelong memories for someone special each night.”

In another CMA Fest week highlight, singer/songwriter/guitarist Patrick Droney joined Cooke for a show-stopping surprise performance of “baby blues” during her set at The Westin Nashville’s L27 Rooftop Lounge on June 2 — a packed-out event that kicked off the 2026 edition of 27LIVE, the sought-after weekly concert series powered by Country Now.

A defining track for Cooke’s boldest era yet, “baby blues” also serves as the namesake for the baby blues world tour— a global headline run kicking off on September 17 at Globe Iron in Cleveland, with dates currently scheduled through February 25 at the legendary Ryman Auditorium. With stops in major cities throughout the US and UK, the 28-date trek will bring her acclaimed live show to storied venues like 9:30 Club in Washington, DC (September 18), Irving Plaza in New York City (September 24), El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles (October 8) and Koko in London (January 29). Before launching the baby blues world tour, Cooke will hit the stage at high-profile summer festivals like Hoofbeat (June 27 in Cadott, WI). For more info on upcoming live dates, visit ashleycooke.com.

ABOUT ASHLEY COOKE

One of Country’s most magnetic young storytellers, Ashley Cooke made her unforgettable debut with 2023’s shot in the dark and soon scored her first Country radio No. 1 with “your place” — a GOLD-certified, Billboard Hot 100-charting hit that later won a 2024 CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year. With a voice that carries both tenderness and quiet confidence, she’s since garnered nominations for New Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. While building up an acclaimed body of work including 2025’s ace — a nine-song project featuring her Country radio smash “the hell you are” and longtime fan favorite “baby blues” (a No. 1 hit on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown) — Cooke has collaborated with major artists ranging from Pop superstar Joe Jonas (“All I Forgot”) to Country hitmaker Brantley Gilbert (“Over When We’re Sober”). Known for her emotionally charged and high-energy live show, she’s also toured with heavy-hitters like Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum, Kane Brown, and recently hit the road as support for Jon Pardi’s HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD TOUR. As her profile continues to rise, Cooke made a cameo appearance in March on CBS’ Marshals (the newly launched spinoff of the blockbuster Western saga Yellowstone), just before heading overseas for C2C: Country to Country 2026 (including a performance at the iconic O2 Arena in London). With her self-titled sophomore album due out August 14, she’s now gearing up to take the stage at leading festivals like Hoofbeat (6/27 in Cadott, WI).

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY COOKE

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Jensen Sussman | Sweet Talk Publicity

jensen@sweettalkpr.com 

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post ASHLEY COOKE’S FAN-FAVORITE SMASH “BABY BLUES” HITS COUNTRY RADIO AMONG THE MOST ADDED SINGLES NATIONWIDE THIS WEEK  appeared first on Big Loud.

2026 AMERICANA HONORS & AWARDS EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

“HE BRINGS COUNTRY, SOUL, BLUES, FOLK AND ROCK TOGETHER AND SPINS IT AND CREATES SOMETHING REALLY ICONIC” – NPR ALL SONGS CONSIDERED

“A SUPREMELY SELF-POSSESSED ARTIST WITH A CASUALLY SOULFUL VOICE” – SPIN

NASHVILLE, TENN. – A seasonal addendum to his lauded debut album Act I, today Kashus Culpepper delivers Act I: Summer Nights. With three new songs and one timeless cover, the new collection explores another dimension of his intrinsic artistry and versatility. This lighter, groovier side reflects Culpepper’s varied influences, “his kaleidoscope of music” as Billboard describes.

Following Act I‘s critical reception, lauded by NPR, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Paste, SPIN, Garden & Gun, EARMILK and more, the new music emerged from an exploratory creative space with producer / co-writer Mike Robinson. Together, the two found a groove and followed it; the result: infectious songs like “Let Me Show You Love” and “Miss You Much Longer.”

Act I:Summer Nights maintains the instrumental integrity of its debut counterpart including the prominent use of pedal steel. The EP kicks off with a cover of Glen Campbell‘s immortalized “Southern Nights” and concludes with a sultry, slower number, “Til The Sun Goes Down.” Recorded in Nashville, Culpepper tapped former collaborators Oscar Charles (“Mean To Me,” “In Her Eyes”), Luke Preston (“Alabama Beauty Queen,” “Better Weather”) and Grady Block (“Break Me Like”), as well as additional creatives, to bring the new songs to life.

Recently earning his first nomination for Americana Honors & Awards Emerging Act of the Year, Culpepper has compiled a long list of accolades in just two years since his first release. Touted by Elton John as “if Bill Withers made country music” (here), and described by John Mayer as “as good as it gets,” Culpepper has made appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, CBS Saturday Sessions, The Kelly Clarkson Show, NPR World CafeandThe Tamron Hall Show.

The Alabama native is part of Shazam’s 2026 Fast Forward Class, WXPN’s Artist to Watch for January 2026, 2026 Nashville Scene Artist to Watch, GRAMMY.com’s 25 Artists to Watch in 2025, Apple Music Zane Lowe’s 25 Artists for ’25, 2025 Variety Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report, Opry NextStage Class of 2025, Billboard‘s February 2025 Country Rookie of the Month, 2025 Amazon Music Bonfire Artist to Watch, Apple Music’s February 2025 Country Riser of the Month, 2025 Pandora Country Artist to Watch and Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025.

Culpepper’s neo-country-soul sound has taken him on the road with Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell, Darius Rucker and more. This year he embarked on a headlining run in major markets, as well as dates with Wyatt Flores and Jelly Roll, and those to come with Niall Horan, Shaboozey, Riley Green, Thomas Rhett, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Wyatt Flores. For more information or tickets, visit kashusculpepper.com.

Act I: Summer Nights

1. “Southern Nights” (Allen Toussaint)
2. “Let Me Show You Love” (Kashus Culpepper, Todd Clark, Seth Ennis, Mike Robinson)
3. “Miss You Much Longer” (Kashus Culpepper, Grady Block, Mike Robinson)
4. “Lights Fade Interlude” (Kashus Culpepper, David Crutcher, Mike Robinson)
5. “Til The Sun Goes Down” (Kashus Culpepper, Nathan Bess, Oscar Charles, Luke Preston)

2026 TOUR DATES

June 19 – Greenfield, MA – Green River Festival *

June 20 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater +

June 23 – Syracuse, NY – Empower FCY Amphitheater at Lakeview +

June 27 – Stuttgart, Germany – US Army Garrison Stuttgart

July 4 – Calgary, CAN – ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows !

July 9 – Nashville, TN – GEODIS Park ^^

July 11 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena ^

July 15 – Portsmouth, NH – Prescott Park *

July 16 – Hartford, CT – The Meadows Music Theatre ^

July 17 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion ^

July 18 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium ^^

July 25 – Macon, GA – Capitol Theatre *

Aug. 8 – Elkhorn, NE – The Club at Indian Creek %

Aug. 13 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion ^

Aug. 14 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts ^

Aug. 15 – Amagansett, NY – The Stephen Talkhouse

Aug. 18 – Nantucket, MA – The Chicken Box

Aug. 19 – Nantucket, MA – The Chicken Box

Sept. 10 – Denver, CO – Fiddlers Green =

Sept. 11 – Albuquerque, NM – First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater =

Sept. 12 – Lubbock, TX – United Supermarkets Arena =

Sept. 17 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater =

Sept. 18 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater =

Sept. 19 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre =

Sept. 24 – Long Beach, CA – F&M Bank Amphitheater =

Sept. 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre =

Sept. 26 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre =

Oct. 3 – New York City – Radio City Music Hall #

Oct. 6 – Philadelphia, PA – Highmark Skyline Stage at The Mann #

Oct. 7 – Columbus, OH – Kemba Live! Outdoor #

Oct. 9 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom #

Oct. 10 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory #

Oct. 13 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre #

Nov. 21 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company ~

Dec. 2 – Pittsburgh, PA – Citizens Live at the Wylie ~

Dec. 9 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy ~

Dec. 11 – Nashville, TN – The Truth ~

*Festival

+ supporting Jelly Roll

! supporting Charley Crockett

^ supporting Thomas Rhett

^^ supporting Thomas Rhett and Niall Horan

% supporting Wyatt Flores

= supporting Riley Green

# supporting Shaboozey

~ supporting Stephen Wilson Jr.

ABOUT KASHUS CULPEPPER

Alabama-born artist-writer Kashus Culpepper encompasses the sound of the South. A student and reverent purveyor of Southern music – country, soul, blues, folk and rock – Culpepper found his voice in church as young as five years old. It wasn’t until 2020 that Culpepper went from listener to performer, picking up a guitar and learning cover songs to play at barrack bonfires in Rota, Spain during his deployment with the Navy. Covers soon became originals, and once he landed home on U.S. shores, Kash played dive bars up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast, making a name for himself with the fresh-yet-reminiscent sound that oozes from his very being. Crashing into prominence, Culpepper sold out headline club shows throughout the South before formally releasing a single song. With Nashville taking notice, Culpepper found a musical home at Big Loud Records. Culpepper has joined Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell and Darius Rucker on tour – embarking this year on a headlining run as well as dates with Niall Horan, Eric Church, Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, Thomas Rhett and Wyatt Flores. Named one of the 2026 Shazam Fast Forward Class, WXPN’s Artist to Watch for January 2026, 2026 Nashville Scene Artist to Watch, GRAMMY.com‘s 25 Artists to Watch in 2025, Apple Music Zane Lowe’s 25 Artists for ’25, 2025 Variety Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report, Opry NextStage Class of 2025, Billboard‘s February 2025 Country Rookie of the Month, 2025 Amazon Music Bonfire Artist to Watch, Apple Music’s February 2025 Country Riser of the Month, 2025 Pandora Country Artist to Watch and Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025, Culpepper’s debut album Act I, and seasonal addendum Act I: Summer Nights, are out now. 

CONNECT WITH KASHUS CULPEPPER

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK |YOUTUBE

Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post ACCLAIMED ARTIST KASHUS CULPEPPER DELIVERS GROOVING ACT I: SUMMER NIGHTS appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today, Big Loud Publishing proudly announces the signing of singer-songwriter Eli Winders. Before landing his deal, Winders was working at a feed mill in North Carolina. He began sharing his original music online, quickly gaining an enthusiastic following that allowed him to quit his job and move to Nashville to pursue songwriting full time.

“I am so grateful and excited to have signed my first publishing deal with Big Loud,” Winders shares. “Since coming to Nashville for the first time in early 2023 I knew it was where I wanted to be. The opportunity to work beside so many writers that I’ve looked up to and a team that cares so much is a dream come true.”

“When we first met Eli, he played us a great song he wrote on his own at just 18 years old,” shares Katie Flynn, Senior Creative Director, Big Loud Publishing. “I was immediately impressed. Eli is an exceptional songwriter and is very competitive with himself, consistently writing better songs every week. His work ethic, instincts and raw talent make him an amazing addition to the Big Loud team. We are lucky to have him, and I can’t wait for this next chapter of his artistry and songwriting career.”

Born and raised in Pikeville, North Carolina, Winders was heavily influenced by musicians like Eric Church, John Mayer, ERNEST and Ben Burgess. At the age of 16, Eli picked up a guitar and began writing and singing. In 2024 after moving to Nashville, Winders released his debut EP From Pikeville produced by Eric Arjes featuring breakthrough songs “Carolina Blue,” “Pack My Hometown” and “Famous for a Heartache (feat. Vincent Mason).” Eli and his band have toured the country supporting Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, Dylan Scott and Conner Smith, while building a loyal following with songs that feel lived-in, honest and unmistakably his own.

ABOUT BIG LOUD PUBLISHING

Tailor-made by GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter Craig Wiseman in 2003, the man in the “big loud shirt” has inspired the same bold, creative statement that cements Big Loud Publishing as one of the most successful independent music publishers in Nashville. Their stable of top-tier songwriters includes Wiseman, Joey Moi, Ashley Cooke, Blake Coddington, Brock Phillips, Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Eli Winders, Grady Block, Hailey Benedict, Jacob Durrett, Jake Worthington, John Byron, Jordan Dozzi, Kashus Culpepper, Larry Fleet, Lars Pruitt, Lauren Watkins, Luke Preston, Mark Holman, Matt McCartney, Max Martin, Rafe Tenpenny, Rhys Rutherford and Rocky Block. To date, the Big Loud Publishing lineup has penned over 300 singles including three GRAMMY® Award winners (Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away”), and 90 No.1 hits for artists like George Strait, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Faith Hill, Thomas Rhett and more.

#    #    #

Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post ELI WINDERS SIGNS WITH BIG LOUD PUBLISHING appeared first on Big Loud.

NEW ALBUM CHRISTIAN NAME OUT JULY 24 VIA BIG LOUD RECORDS

NASHVILLE, TENN. – A father declaring his love. A son saying goodbye. Charles Wesley Godwin takes listeners through a gamut of emotions on “Hey There Son,” out today. Featuring Wyatt Flores and co-written with Lori McKenna, the song is a cornerstone of Godwin’s upcoming album Christian Name, out July 24 via Big Loud Records. Watch the lyric video here.

“I started writing ‘Hey There Son’ in 2019, around the time my first son was born,” explains Godwin. “I’m a huge fan of Lori McKenna, and always felt like she’d be the perfect person to help me finish it. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to bring it to her in 2024, and we knocked it out in an afternoon. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room by the time we finished.”

“When Al and I started recording it, I knew I wanted that perspective shift in the final verse, and Wyatt was the obvious choice,” says Godwin. “He’s incredible, and his performance took the song to the next level. I’m really proud of this one.”

Christian Name is an intensely personal collection of songs, but it’s more than just another body of work; it’s how Godwin learned to live again. Through moments of mourning. Through tales of redemption. And ultimately, through a tried-and-true reaffirmation of his faith. 

“These songs really meant a lot to me,” Godwin explains. “There’s parts of me and parts of the things that I’ve gone through in the last couple years that are in each and every song on this album.”

While Christian Name is without question a highly personal affair for Godwin – he took direct inspiration for both the album title and album cover from his late grandfather, Charles Godwin, a Methodist preacher –  he’s quick to note how critical a role his creative community of friends and musical collaborators played in the album’s conception.

Not only does Christian Name include a pair of thrilling feature collaborations – the earworm “Better That Way” with Luke Combs and the remarkable “Hey There Son” featuring Flores – but it’s also the result of Godwin partnering with some of music’s most treasured songwriters: Stephen Wilson Jr. (“Brand New”),  Liz Rose (“I Caught The Sunrise”), Lori McKenna (“Hey There Son”), Aaron Ratiere (“God’s Been Good To Me”), Travis Meadows (“Try Again,” “Every Once In Awhile”), Scooter Carusoe (“Better That Way,” “Hallelujah High,” “Place I Know”), and Tom Douglas (“Street Advice”). The album was produced by Allegheny High guitarist and Godwin’s longtime producer Al Torrence. 

“I had a lot of help with this album — I sought out people and they brought a lot of the hope and the light and the lighter moments of the album,” Godwin offers. “That was a lot of their influence. The album needed that.”

Godwin will tour extensively in support of Christian Name. The Christian Name Tour kicks off July 14 in Sioux Falls, SD and runs through mid-November, with a return to Red Rocks on October 15. In addition to his own headline shows, Godwin will be doing a co-headline run with Dylan Gossett this summer, and he’ll open for Kacey Musgraves on her Middle of Nowhere tour this fall.

Charles Wesley Godwin 2026 Tour Dates

Jul 2 – Calgary, AB – Cowboys Music Festival

Jul 10 – Saint Paul, MN – Minnesota Country Club Festival

Jul 14 – Sioux Falls, SD – The District

Jul 17 – Emigrant, MT – The Old Saloon

Jul 18 – Kalispell, MT – Majestic Valley Arena

Jul 19 – Whitefish, MT – Under the Big Sky Festival

Jul 22 – Jackson, WY – Teton County Fair

Aug 4 – San Francisco, CA- Regency

Aug 6 – Sacramento, CA – Channel 24

Aug 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

Aug 8 – San Diego, CA – SOMA

Aug 13 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto

Aug 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren

Aug 21 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

Aug 22 – Toronto, ON – History

Aug 27 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion

Aug 28 – Lubbock, TX – Cook’s Garage*

Aug 29 – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater*

Sept 11 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six

Sept 12 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner

Sept 17 – Landmark Theatre – Syracuse, NY

Sept 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Fillmore

Sept 23 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center#

Sept 26 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle*

Sept 29 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17*

Sept 30 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena#

Oct 1 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater*

Oct 9 – North Charleston, SC – Riverfront Revival

Oct 15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Oct 17 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House

Oct 18 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom

Oct 21 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

Oct 22 – Seattle, WA – SoDo

Oct 24 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theater

Nov 5 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre

Nov 6 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum

Nov 7 – Cincinnati, OH – MegaCorp Pavilion

Nov 12 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed

Nov 13 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside

Nov 14 – St. Louis, MO – Factory

* co-headline with Dylan Gossett

# supporting Kacey Musgraves

CONNECT WITH CHARLES WESLEY GODWIN

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | FACEBOOK

#    #    #

Media Contacts

Rob Krauser | Missing Piece Group

rob@missingpiecegroup.com

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com 

The post CHARLES WESLEY GODWIN’S POIGNANT NEW SONG “HEY THERE SON” FEATURING WYATT FLORES OUT TODAY appeared first on Big Loud.

LITERARY NEW SONG “WEED BY THE WALL” OUT NOW

SUPPORTING WILLIE NELSON ON HIS 2026 OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL TOUR AND BEYOND BEGINNING IN JULY

NASHVILLE, TENN. / AUSTIN, TEXAS  – Today, Big Loud Texas proudly announces the signing of GRAMMY® nominated artist-writer Waylon Payne. In tandem, Payne announces his forthcoming album Wayward set for July 17. A song decades in the making, “Weed By The Wall” is out today.

“This album is very special to me and ‘Weed by the Wall’ is probably one of my favorite moments as a writer,” shares Payne. “I’m incredibly proud to have partnered with Big Loud Texas to release this collection of songs and I sure hope folks enjoy it.”

“I first heard Waylon Payne’s music in 2004, with his very first album,” Lambert adds. “Called The Drifter, I’ll never forget the feelings it gave me. The honesty in his songwriting was genuinely something I’d never experienced, as well as the emotion coming across in his vocals; it made me hang on every word.

“Everything he has ever made inspired me – and so many artists that I know and love. It’s pure truth, and where can you find that? Wayward, which I can’t believe we get to release on Big Loud Texas, defines what I hope this label can be. Nothing short of brilliant, the truths and stories match these perfect melodies that make you feel every emotion.”

A 13-song collection produced by Frank Liddell (Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert) and Eric Masse (Parker McCollum), half of Wayward was notably solo written. The new masterful body of work follows his timeless debut The Drifter (2003) and Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me (2020), which were both met with widespread acclaim. A brilliant showcase of the razor-sharp lyrical prowess that defines his artistry, Wayward is vulnerable, honest and beaming with wisdom.

The album features recently released “Holding On To Lonely” that Billboard noted as, “vulnerable” and “introspective,” and MusicRow praised, “his voice is marvelously aching.” Payne’s “Looking For A Feeling,” penned alongside Pam Tillis and named one of the “Best New Country Songs” by Holler, kicks off Wayward. 

Payne’s intricate lyricism is weaved throughout today’s “Weed By The Wall”:

I am a freight train

Forged out of steel

I am a highway rolling west in the morning

My hands on the wheel

I am a full-grown man

I stand alone

And I sacrifice nothing for the sake of the cause

I am god and nature

I am a weed by the wall

This summer, Waylon will support Willie Nelson on his 2026 Outlaw Music Festival Tour and beyond with stops in Texas, California, New York and more. To stay up to date, connect with Waylon on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Wayward Tracklist

1. Looking For A Feeling (Waylon Payne, Pam Tillis)

2. Postcards (Waylon Payne, Miranda Lambert, Aaron Raitiere)

3. The Delta (Waylon Payne)

4. Darla (Waylon Payne)

5. Holding On To Lonely (Waylon Payne, Charlie Worsham)

6. Haunting (Waylon Payne, Brennen Leigh, Dean Person)

7. Caramello (Waylon Payne, Dean Person)

8. Hell Is Empty (Waylon Payne, Matraca Berg)

9. Watch Him Die (Waylon Payne)

10. The Roses (Waylon Payne)

11. Together (Waylon Payne, Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe)

12. Find A Way (Waylon Payne)

13. Weed By The Wall (Waylon Payne)

Produced by Frank Liddell and Eric Masse

Waylon Payne Tour Dates Supporting Willie Nelson

July 3 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – Irving, TX

July 4 – Germania Insurance Amphitheater – Austin, TX

July 5 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX

July 12 – Pacific Amphitheatre at the OC Fair – Costa Mesa, CA

July 14 – The Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA

July 15 – The Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA

July 17 – Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions – Napa, CA

July 19 – Ironstone Amphitheatre – Murphys, CA

July 22 – California Mid-State Fair – Paso Robles, CA

August 18 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater – Maryland Heights, MO

August 19 – Mystic Lake Amphitheater – Shakopee, MN

August 21 – Alpine Valley Music Theatre – East Troy, WI

August 22 – Pine Knob Music Theatre – Clarkston, MI

August 23 – Ruoff Music Center – Noblesville, IN

August 25 – Huntington Bank Pavilion – Chicago, IL

August 28 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach – Wantagh, NY

August 29 – Bethel Woods – Bethel, NY

August 30 – Albany Med Health System at SPAC – Saratoga Springs, NY

ABOUT WAYLON PAYNE

A poetic outlaw, Waylon Payne made an indelible mark with his timeless debut album The Drifter (2003). Building on the legacy of that album and the widespread acclaim of Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me (2020), Waylon sets his forthcoming new album Wayward for July 17. “Looking For A Feeling” and “Holding On To Lonely” signaled his triumphant re-emergence, showcasing his signature razor-sharp lyrical prowess. Waylon’s musical pedigree is storied. The son of GRAMMY® Award-winning country singer Sammi Smith and Jody Payne of Willie Nelson’s band, he dons the name of his godfather Waylon Jennings. He began his prolific career writing for and playing with other musicians. Multi-talented with the charm of a seasoned entertainer, Waylon has pursued acting in earnest; he appeared in the award-winning Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line (2005). After, he was cast in the starring role of Hank Garland in the biopic Crazy (2006).

CONNECT WITH WAYLON PAYNE

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post OUTLAW POET WAYLON PAYNE SIGNS WITH BIG LOUD TEXAS, appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. / AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, Big Loud Texas singer-songwriter Julianna Rankin showcases her standout vocals on “Dusty Boots,” out now. Called “The Lone Star rising star” by Cowboys & Indians, Rankin continues to chart her musical path with smoldering new songs like recent “Little Miss Behavin’,” with an unforgettable official music video starring Gretchen Wilson.

“’Dusty Boots’ is one of those songs I’ve been anxiously waiting for people to hear,” shares Rankin. “It captures so much of where I come from — not only my Texas roots, but the music and moments that made me fall in love with country music in the first place. It’s a two-stepper that transports me to all my favorite places: dancing under a painted sunset, a night at Gruene Hall and the kind of memories you wish you could live twice. I hope it does the same for everyone who listens.” 

Rankin wrote “Dusty Boots” alongside Jon Decious, Steph Jones, Josh Kear and Aaron Raitiere. In this steel-soaked honky-tonk song, Rankin sings:

Dusty boots and barroom floors

Red dirt roots, four-by-fours

Truck stops and diesel, Willie and Waylon

Cornbread and cast iron

If you know what I’m sayin’

Honky-tonks and heavy pours

So crank up the band, and then crank it some more

Let’s get to dancing, ’cause that’s what they made ’em for

About her most recent release, “XYZ71s,” All Country News praised Rankin’s artistry, “she’s driving her own story, and she’s not checking the rearview for permission.” Kicking things off with a bang, her label debut “Bad Habits and Good Horses” was featured in the season finale of Landman via Paramount+ earlier this year.

This summer, Rankin will support Casey Donahew, Neal McCoy and Mark Chesnutt on select dates. In September, Julianna will play at Everybody’s Somebody Festival with headliners Hayes Carll & The Band of Heathens. Stay up to date with Julianna Rankin here. 

Julianna Rankin Tour Dates

June 19 – Floores Country Store – Helotes, TX +

June 20 – Armadillo Palace – Houston, TX 

July 18 – 11th Street Cowboy Bar – Bandera, TX *

Sept. 5 – Everybody’s Somebody Fest – Luckenbach, TX #

Sept .18 – Blackhawk Grill – Whitehouse, TX ^ 

Sept. 19 – Cheatham Street Warehouse – San Marcos, TX 

Oct. 2 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX +

Oct. 23 – PigFest – Hendersonville, TN #

+ Support for Casey Donahew

* Support for Neal McCoy

^ Support for Mark Chesnutt

# Festival

ABOUT JULIANNA RANKIN

Big Loud Texas singer-songwriter Julianna Rankin is an undeniable rising talent hailing from The Lone Star State. Raised on classic country and the blues with influences ranging from Keith Whitley, Bobbie Gentry and Waylon Jennings to Bonnie Raitt, Carole King and James Taylor, Rankin was emboldened to pursue a career in music after her family and peers alike discovered her talent while attending college at Texas A&M. After being discovered and signed by Big Loud Texas, her label debut “Bad Habits and Good Horses” was featured in the season finale of Landman via Paramount+. Signing with Big Loud Texas Publishing and Sony Music Publishing this year, her growing catalog includes clever “XYZ71s” and “Little Miss Behavin.’”                          

CONNECT WITH JULIANNA RANKIN

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE

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Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

The post BIG LOUD TEXAS SINGER-SONGWRITER JULIANNA RANKIN KNOWS WHAT “DUSTY BOOTS” ARE MADE FOR appeared first on Big Loud.

NASHVILLE, TENN. – For Kyle Fishman, signing with ERN’s Cadillac Music via Big Loud Publishing just makes sense. In his earliest days as a freshman writer on Music Row, Fishman lived at Big Loud’s office – on the third floor then reserved for Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again, now ERN’s Cadillac Music headquarters – and counts writes a decade ago with ERNEST as some of his first in town. He has lent his pen and production to many of country music’s most influential voices including Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Teddy Swims, Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Lainey Wilson, Dan + Shay and more.

“I’ve always felt like Big Loud was home base since moving to Nashville,” Fishman shares. “It’s where ERN and I first met and wrote songs together. Feels full circle to join Cadillac/Big Loud and I’m stoked to be a part of it.”

“I love Kyle. He was one of my first writes in this town…,” ERN’s Cadillac Music Founder and CEO ERNEST shares. “It’s full circle to get to work with him in this capacity! He is so musical and one of the hardest workers I know. ALWAYS turning out songs. He has hit power, and I’m stoked he’s a part of the Cadillac crew.”

Fishman’s work includes massive hits like Dustin Lynch’s “Small Town Boy,” Luke Bryan’s “Down To One” and “Thank God” by Kane Brown featuring Katelyn Brown. He’s also behind Zach John King’s debut radio single, “Get To Drinkin’.” Known for his standout toplines and genre-blending production, Kyle made a name for himself across country, rock and pop. Growing up in Sacramento, California, Fishman cut his teeth playing and touring in death metal bands. His rock and alt-leaning collaborations include Underoath, Nickelback, Wage War, Story Of The Year, The Used and Said The Sky.

ABOUT ERN’S CADILLAC MUSIC

Doubling down on his investment in Nashville’s songwriting community, mononymous triple threat talent ERNEST founded ERN’s Cadillac Music in partnership with Big Loud Publishing in 2023. Built on passion for the craft of songwriting, old-school creative values and a collaborative spirit, the dynamic roster includes Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Jacob Durrett, Kyle Fishman, Mark Holman, Rafe Tenpenny and Rhys Rutherford. The chart-topping creatives have been recognized by GRAMMY®, CMA and ACM for their contributions. Making an indelible mark on culture, ERN’s Cadillac Music is behind smash records like Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion, including all-genre No. 1 “I Had Some Help (feat. Morgan Wallen),” songs from Bailey Zimmerman, Charles Wesley Godwin and more.

ABOUT BIG LOUD PUBLISHING

Tailor-made by GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter Craig Wiseman in 2003, the man in the “big loud shirt” has inspired the same bold, creative statement that cements Big Loud Publishing as one of the most successful independent music publishers in Nashville. Their stable of top-tier songwriters includes Wiseman, Joey Moi, Ashley Cooke, Blake Coddington, Brock Phillips, Chandler Walters, Cody Lohden, Grady Block, Hailey Benedict, Jacob Durrett, Jake Worthington, John Byron, Jordan Dozzi, Kashus Culpepper, Larry Fleet, Lars Pruitt, Lauren Watkins, Luke Preston, Mark Holman, Matt McCartney, Max Martin, Rafe Tenpenny, Rhys Rutherford and Rocky Block. To date, the Big Loud Publishing lineup has penned over 300 singles including three GRAMMY® Award winners (Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away”), and 90 No.1 hits for artists like George Strait, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Faith Hill, Thomas Rhett and more.

#    #    #

Media Contacts

Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud

corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com

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