Classic Country Song Featured on Johnson’s Highly Anticipated Double Album,
Due This Fall

Johnson to Headline at the Historic Ryman Auditorium on June 19

CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville recording artist Cody Johnson released the first song from his forthcoming double album, which includes 18 tracks, due out this fall. The song is the ultimate throwback duet with musical icon Willie Nelson on a song Nelson penned entitled “Sad Songs and Waltzes” (LISTEN HERE).

Johnson wasn’t born when Nelson’s Shotgun Willie album was released in 1973, but that didn’t stop him from being inspired by one of the most heartfelt tracks on the album. He recalls how close to home it hit him when he first heard the song about a decade ago, after he’d played a show at Midnight Rodeo in San Angelo, Texas. Wide awake around 3:00 a.m., he was watching Nelson on PBS’ Austin City Limits. “You could tell that it was pretty early on in his leaving of Nashville, because his hair wasn’t very long,” Johnson explains. “Willie said, ‘Well, I went up to Nashville and I had a pile of songs, and I sang ’em all for the record man, and the record man told me, sad songs and waltzes aren’t selling this year, son.'”

The lesson Johnson learned that night — and still remembers all these years later — is that even Willie Nelson has been told no throughout his 60-year career as an artist. So, chasing down a trend in country music is one thing that both artists would never do. It’s a line that neither one will cross. “The way I am, the music I create, the way that I look, and the cowboy that I am hasn’t been a trend in Nashville for a long time,” Johnson says. Because he knows, as Nelson knows, that being true to yourself is what makes for the best music and the most loyal fans.

Knowing all that, Johnson made the decision to bring that song back, and record it with Nelson. The result is a moving ballad from the two distinctive voices, all about the creative process artists go through when they are unwilling to compromise their art.

“Willie was very gracious to do it, and I got to have a very candid conversation with him, and it was one that meant a lot to me,” Johnson says. Because he knows that while Nelson has a long history of memorable collaborations — with artists like Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Kacey Musgraves, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings and Lee Ann Womack — he doesn’t just partner with anyone who asks. It takes a special kind of artist who treasures the traditions of old school country music in order to measure up. It takes an artist like Cody Johnson.

“My Person” – Wedding Version marks the first track from the five-song EP Lost In The Wild, available everywhere May 28

LISTEN HERE

Up-and-coming singer/songwriter and entertainer Spencer Crandall releases an all-new version of his fan-favorite hit, “My Person,” originally released as part of his No. 1 album, Wilderness. Today, Crandall drops “My Person” – Wedding Version in response to fans clamoring for a way to use the romantic song in their weddings. The original song has garnered over 30M global streams and over 50K TikTok’s since its Oct. 2019 release. “My Person” – Wedding Version is the first of three songs from Wilderness that have been reimagined on Crandall’s forthcoming EP, Lost In The Wild, available everywhere May 28. The five-song EP also includes two all-new tracks produced by Lalo Guzman.

Track listing:
1. “My Person” – Wedding Version (Lalo Guzman, Spencer Crandall, Kelly Archer)
2. “Things I Can’t Say” (feat. Julia Cole) – Stripped (Lalo Guzman, Josh Ronen, Spencer Crandall, Julia Cole)
3. “Apartments in LA” – Demo Version (Lalo Guzman, Spencer Crandall, Scott Stepakoff)
4. “Nothing To Do With You” (Lalo Guzman, Spencer Crandall, Lauren McLamb, Joe Tounge)
5. “Delete All” (Nate Dodge Remix) (Nate Dodge, Joe Tounge, Spencer Crandall, Olivia Faye, AJ Gatio)*
*Produced by Nate Dodge

“I’m so excited to finally release ‘My Person’ – Wedding Version,” shares Crandall. “I’ve had so many DMs, texts and emails asking for this version because this song has become the soundtrack for so many couples’ relationships. There have been thousands of videos to the original song with couples showing how much they love their person. I can’t wait to see all the videos of couples that will use this version at their wedding. It feels good to finally get this out to fans and I couldn’t be prouder of how it turned out.”

In addition to “My Person” – Wedding Version, the Lost In The Wild EP will feature a cut-back, organic version of “Things I Can’t Say” (feat. Julia Cole) and an energetic EDM remix of hit-song “Delete All,” as well as two all-new tracks.

ABOUT SPENCER CRANDALL:
Denver-native Spencer Crandall is an independent country music singer/songwriter and entertainer. His sound continues to push the envelope—a blend of country storytelling with non-traditional production elements—reflecting influences ranging from Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift to Justin Timberlake and Drake.

Raised in a music-loving family, Crandall grew up attending summer country concerts with dreams of being an entertainer, idolizing touring sensations like Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. For a senior project in high school, Crandall decided to pick up the guitar and learn to play. The next year he headed to Grand Junction to play college football, until facing a career-ending shoulder injury. With the spare time on his hands during recovery, Spencer began to sing and write music, ultimately growing a steady following on social media by posting videos of dorm room performances of his original music.

After frequent trips to Nashville throughout 2016, Crandall decided it was time to make the move to Music City and seriously pursue his music career. Since then, Crandall has gained over 1.6M followers and 15.5M likes on TikTok and has shared the stage with artists including Chris Lane, Dustin Lynch, Tyler Rich and Josh Turner.

In four short years, Crandall has amassed over 90M streams across platforms as an independent artist, with two album releases debuting at No.1 on the iTunes country charts. With plans to tour in 2021, three independent albums under his belt, and new music on the way, this year is set to be his biggest yet.

Laine Will Return to ABC’s American Idol This Sunday

May 14, 2021 – Nashville, TN — Rising Country star and American Idol winner Laine Hardy has released a brand-new single, “Memorize You,” which fans can now stream and/or download on all platforms today!  The feel-good summertime groove is written by Michael Tyler, Eric Arjes and Steven Dale Jones, and produced by Michael Knox (Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett).

“Let’s go!” Laine says of the new song.  “I’ve been so excited to get this out since the moment I heard the mix.  I’ve been asking and asking when we could put it out.  Well, it’s here and it’s time to hit the road to play it for the fans.”

The official music video for “Memorize You” is also out today, making its debut on Facebook.  Directed by Dustin Haney and shot in various locations throughout 30A in Florida, the video follows a young couple falling in love. Check out the beachy video HERE.

Laine will return to his American Idol roots by making an appearance on this Sunday’s episode. Tune in live coast-to-coast Sunday, MAY 16 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT on ABC.

And be sure to catch Laine on the road this spring and summer as he heads out on tour – check https://www.lainehardymusic.com/tour for dates.  Next month in Lake Charles, LA he will hit the water and the stage, for Hook & Barrel’s Salty Catch Trout Shoutout, benefitting disaster relief in Louisiana.  Tickets and information for the June 5 event may be found at https://hookandbarrel.com/TICKETS/.

For more information about Laine Hardy, visit  LaineHardyMusic.com  and join his journey @TheLaineHardy.

ABOUT LAINE HARDY: A native of Livingston, Louisiana (pop. 2,000) Laine Hardy was six when he picked up his first guitar and later joined his brother playing in local clubs and bars for upwards of six hours a night, inspired by artists ranging from Luke Combs and Elvis Presley to Mark Broussard. After winning American Idol in 2019, Laine focused on songwriting and touring, headlining shows in Denver, Indianapolis, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Lexington and more.  Laine’s 2020 “Ground I Grew Up On” virtual tour, made 20-plus online stops to date, with views at 2 Million and counting. Catch Laine on the road this spring and summer as he heads out on tour – check LaineHardyMusic.com/tour for tickets and information.

On May 14, 2021, Laine released feel-good summertime track and video, “Memorize You,” written by Michael Tyler, Eric Arjes and Steven Dale Jones, and produced by Michael Knox (Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett).  Follow his socials to keep up to date on his new music plans for the rest of the year!

While Louisiana is home, Nashville is where he is destined to be.  There, he met his producer Michael Knox and the pair went to work on Laine’s 2020 music releases including his single “Tiny Town” (Michael Tyler), and tracks “Ground I Grew Up On” (Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson, Brett Beavers), “Let There Be Country” (Jason Afable, Steve Moakler, Tim Nichols), “Other LA” (Laine Hardy, Andy Sheridan, Erik Dylan and Dan Isbell) on Buena Vista Records / Industrial Media’s 19 Recordings.   The songs, which earned Laine a Taste of Country RISER designation, tell the stories of Laine’s childhood on the bayou where on an average day you’ll find him fishing, riding his four-wheeler, spending time with his family, dogs, and feasting on jambalaya or his grandmother’s traditional Korean kimchi.

NASHVILLE – It was a homecoming weekend filled with firsts for Vere Music singer/songwriter Matt Rogers in Eatonton, GA. He was the first artist to perform three capacity shows on the recently refurbished stage at The Plaza Arts Center. He conducted the first songwriters master class for area music students since TPAC reopened. And he was the first artist to perform for residents of a local nursing home after months of isolation due to COVID-19.

“Honestly, it was a whirlwind, but I wanted to make the most of it,” Rogers said. “It felt great to be home and spend time with the people I care about. Like so many other musicians, I have missed performing for an audience – and there is nothing like a hometown crowd.”

“We could not have scripted a better opening event by hosting Matt’s homecoming,” said Vickie Spivey, Program and Production Director at TPAC. “He was so engaging and captured the hearts of seasoned and first-time patrons here at the Plaza. Matt spoke honestly about his inspiration and the value of being raised here in Eatonton and the impact the people in the audience had on his songwriting.”

Originally a schoolhouse built in 1916, TPAC is the cultural hub for live performance and music education in the region. In addition to performing three-nights at the 500-seat theater, Rogers instructed high school students on the basics of songwriting. Rogers has penned songs with some of the best tunesmiths in Music City and has won numerous songwriting awards.

“I think the master class with Matt is a huge thing. We have kids here who want to do big things and who are capable of it, but maybe need someone on their side,” said Taylor Hembree, Marketing Director of TPAC. “With Matt’s impact on the community and his talents, these kids will not only know someone is rooting for them, but they will get a chance to get some insight into the music scene. As someone who grew up being told to follow my dreams, I am very grateful that Matt is taking the time out to talk with area kids. I know it means a lot to The Plaza and to the community.”

In addition, Rogers also performed for residents and staff at the Harbor at Harmony Crossing. Residents of the nursing facility, many of them veterans, had been isolated during the pandemic.

The Durango Boot ambassador has reached a growing, global audience with his raw, country-at-heart/blues-in-his-soul style thanks to performing weekly since 2018 at Ole Red in Nashville and an extensive tour schedule across the U.S. Known for his energetic stage performance, the Georgia native Is headlining the Georgia Peach Festival on June 12.

Rogers has been releasing music since moving to Nashville in 2017 including his critically acclaimed sophomore EP, Richest Place On Earth. His single “Peaches and Pecans” from the project pays homage to the Peach State and was a popular anthem at University of Georgia home games at Stanford Stadium during their 2018 standout football season. In 2019, Rogers’ buzz-worthy single “Burn The Boat” made waves when it landed on Buzzfeed’s “Top 10 Hottest Country Summer Jams” alongside songs by Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood.

Fans and the industry are taking notice including country music legend TG Sheppard, who opined that Rogers is “the real deal…the total package. A great singer, a great picker, and a great songwriter.”