Eric Paslay will be releasing a new EP titled ‘Heartbeat Higher’ on July 3 and has marked the announcement with the release of a new song in On This Side of Heaven. You can listen to the track, which premiered on BBC Radio 2’s The Country Show with Bob Harris on June 4, here. Paslay released the title track for the EP, featuring Sarah Buxton, earlier this year and to much fanfare, so the EP has come as very welcome news for Paslay’s fanbase. Speaking about the EP itself, Paslay said that the response to the title track made him even more excited to release the EP into the world, while he also believes that he has something for all of his fans on the four-song collection. “The outpouring of love, support and excitement with Heartbeat Higher was so amazing that I’m super pumped to drop the EP,” Paslay said. “I think I’ve got the fans covered with four songs in every direction. I’ve got one for my Barefoot crew, my She Don’t Love You fans and something new for me… a cover.” The tracklisting for ‘Heartbeat Higher’ by Eric Paslay is: 1. Heartbeat Higher (ft Sarah Buxton) 2. On This Side of Heaven 3. I Took A Pill in Ibiza (Mark Posner cover) 4. Boat In a Bottle

Joey Clarkson has released the first single since her debut album ‘The Year That Never Happened’ was released with of a duet titled ‘If You Want Me To’, featuring Louise Parker. You can listen to the track here. The track – which also precedes Parker’s upcoming EP,  due later in June – came about in a rough form just before lockdown took place, with the finishing touches taking place from a remote location. Speaking about the song, Canadian artist Clarkson said that the track is designed to lift spirits in a very rough time, while Parker also shared some insight as to how the track was structured. “Following lockdown measures, the entertainment industry seemed to grind to an abrupt halt but – after initially grieving for the sudden loss of work – we realised that we had the means to continue content creation from home,” explained Clarkson. “We chose to release this track now with the intention of lifting the nation’s mood during the pandemic.” “After being friends online for a number of years, Joey and I wrote ‘If You Want Me To’ on the day we first met face-to-face,” added Parker. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get chance to record the number prior to lockdown, so we laid down a demo remotely. “Listening back, we realised the drum loop was reminiscent of the soundtrack from Disney’s The Princess Diaries; it transpired the film had been a childhood favourite for both of us and decided – there and then – that the track would be produced in the same style.”

Midland have been busy in lockdown stripping down some of their songs, which have now appeared on their new ‘Guitars, Couches, Etc., Etc.’ EP. You can listen to the EP here. The trio – made up of Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy – were on course for a hugely successful 2020 prior to lockdown, with the group being nominated for Group of the Year at the ACM Awards and with their second album, ‘Let It Roll’, continuing to gain traction. However, they have still found a way to keep momentum going despite the lockdown and speaking about the EP, lead singer Wystrach explained that it felt therapeutic to delve into their back catalogue and re-record them with an acoustic twist. “The title is a bit tongue in cheek with reference to a seminal album that largely influenced this band cut against the strange reality that we’ve all found ourselves living these last few months,” Wystrach explained. “It was medicinal to pick these songs back up and re-interpret them in a new way both recording wise and in the arrangements & colourings. “We hope you enjoy these new iterations as much as we did making em.” The tracklist for ‘Guitars, Couches, Etc., Etc.’ by Midland is: 1. Fourteen Gears (Acoustic) 2. Cheatin’ Songs (Acoustic) 3. Fast Hearts and Slow Towns (Acoustic) 4. Burn Out (Acoustic) 5. Drinkin’ Problem (Acoustic)

Ray Wylie Hubbard has shared the third single from his upcoming collaboration album ‘Co-Starring’ in the shape of Fast Left Hand, featuring The Cadillac Three. You can listen to the song here and pre-order the album, due July 10, here. Fast Left Hand follows in the footsteps of Bad Trick – featuring Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh and Chris Robinson – and Outlaw Blood featuring Ashley McBryde, as Hubbard has put together a remarkable record featuring a number of outstanding musicians. Speaking about the album itself, Hubbard stated that he is trying to get better with each album that he releases, but to be able to try and improve with all the people he has collaborated with on this record has been a special experience. “Each record is built on the steps of the last one and I’m just trying to get better,” Hubbard says. “To have all these cats we’ve toured with and played with, I’m very, very proud of it. “Young and old, established, new, Rock & Roll, Folk, Country, to even know these people is awesome, but to make music like this with them? Well, it really impresses me.” The track listing for ‘Co-Starring’ by Ray Wylie Hubbard is: 1. Bad Trick ft. Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh, Chris Robinson 2. Rock Gods ft. Aaron Lee Tasjan 3. Fast Left Hand ft. The Cadillac Three 4. Mississippi John Hurt ft. Pam Tillis 5. Drink Till I See Double ft. Paula Nelson and Elizabeth Cook 6. R.O.C.K. ft. Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown 7. Outlaw Blood ft. Ashley McBryde 8. Rattlesnake Shakin’ Woman ft. Larkin Poe  9. Hummingbird ft. Peter Rowan 10. The Messenger ft. Ronnie Dunn and Pam Tillis 

Jessica Lynn has announced that her ‘Lone Rider’ tour that was initially planned for June 2020 has been rescheduled for May 2021. To accompany the announcement, Lynn has also released the music video for her latest single, Run To, which you can see below. [wpdevart_youtube]3lloSJUQP7s[/wpdevart_youtube] As with every other artist in the world, all touring plans have had to be put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the reschedule has allowed Lynn to include two new dates and she will now also stop at Swansea and Aberdeen. Speaking about the reschedule, Lynn said that she is delighted that she has been able to find a resolution and that while she was upset that this year’s tour couldn’t go ahead, she has found solace in that her livestream gigs have gained traction with her UK audience. “I am so thrilled to be coming to the UK next May for my rescheduled ‘Lone Rider’ tour,” Lynn said. “We were even able to add on two additional cities that I’ve been really wanting to go to. “As sad as I was this year for our cancellation, I have been able to connect with everyone over in the UK via my livestreaming performances and have made so many new friends along the way. “I cannot wait to see you all and will work on an even bigger and better show in the meantime, as well as release a lot of new music for you.” The updated dates for the ‘Lone Rider’ tour by Jessica Lynn are: May 4 – Cambridge Junction, Cambridge, England May 5 – The Waterfront, Norwich, England May 6 – St Pancras Old Church, London, England May 7 – Bodega, Nottingham, England May 8 – Patti Pavilion, Swansea, Wales May 9 – The Cluny 2, Newcastle, England May 11 – Drummonds, Aberdeen, Scotland May 12 – The Glad Café, Glasgow, Scotland May 13 – The Waterloo, Blackpool, England May 14 – The Blue Note, Derby, England May 15 – Gullivers, Manchester, England May 16 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, England May 18 – The 1865, Southampton, England May 19 – The Dancing Dog, Sittingbourne, England

Fast rising American country trio Lockeland have released their first single in three months in the shape of Made For Mornings. You can listen to the song here. The track follows in the footsteps of Keep Us Young – which was released in February – and sees the group experiment with a slightly rockier sound, though the harmonies which are making the group a household name are very much out in force. Speaking to Maverick, the trio – made up of Mark Vikingstad, Kyndon Oakes and Michael Boris – explained how the song came from an unlikely place, though a place that works perfectly with the song and also opened up on the meaning of the track. “The inspiration for our new single, came out of a place where mornings start for many people, Starbucks,” the group said. “The Made For Mornings title was on a poster advertising a breakfast sandwich, to which we saw that and said, ‘that’s a song.’ “The three of us along with Renn Anderson, sat down and began to write the story of a night life partier, who without warning, stumbles upon a love that is deep and genuine. “The shallowness of his party lifestyle fades away as he finds a sense of renewal in the warmth of a coffee cup with her, instead of cocktails at the bar. “We hope that our fans feel the passion, emotion and energy of this song just as much as we do.” Last year, Lockeland made their UK debut with appearances at both Millport Country Music Festival and The Long Road Festival, while they also found time to complete a quick tour in-between the two events.

Chris Lane has reminded everyone what it’s like to witness live music by sharing a rendition of Take Back Home Girl  from his headline tour in Chicago. You can see the video, featuring the vocal talents of MacKenzie Porter, below. [wpdevart_youtube]9xyoiDcpg88[/wpdevart_youtube] As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all live gigs are currently cancelled, postponed or generally on hold and there has been a lot of yearning for live music, so Lane’s glimpse into The Big, Big Plans Tour is a welcome relief. Speaking to Taste of Country,  Lane explained that the song has been colossal for both him and his career and that he loved having Porter with him to fill in for Tori Kelly’s part of the song, while he is also immensely grateful of the impact that the track has had with his fans. “Take Back Home Girl has been such a huge song for my career and I’m reminded of that every night that I get to sing it on stage,” Lane said. “The Big, Big Plans Tour was a lot of fun and I enjoyed having MacKenzie Porter jump in for Tori Kelly’s part of the collab every night. “It’s fun to see the crowd react so well to that song, and I’m thankful that it impacted the fans the same way that it did me.” Last year, Chris Lane made a memorable appearance in the UK as he supported Brad Paisley at The O2 Arena in London.

Charley Crockett has announced that his next album, ‘Welcome to Hard Times’, will be released on July 31 via Thirty Tigers. You can pre-order the album here. The album was produced by Mark Neill and saw Crockett work with Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys and Pat McLaughlin, with the album’s title track being the lead single for the record. Speaking about the album, Crockett said that the main inspiration came from when he was required to undergo life-saving heart surgery after a routine check-up identified that he had Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, with the scar on his body reminding him that he is far from invincible. “I look at that scar and all I can think about is the limited amount of time I’ve got left, I wanted to make an album that would try to reclaim the conversation about country music.” Crockett said, “My entering country music has been controversial to say the least but I believe country fans have more eclectic tastes than they are given credit for. “My country music is inspired by what I played in the subway car so I could eat, in the French Quarter in ragtag bands. I sat in pastures on farms across this country putting it all together into my own sound. I don’t like labels, but if that ain’t country I don’t know what is. “This record is for the folks who feel like everything’s fixed. If you think you’re playing a rigged game, you’re right. If it seems like all the cards are marked in advance, they are. But you still gotta roll the dice, even when you know they’re loaded. “ Last year, Charley Crockett was touring in the UK and also performed at The Long Road Festival.

The likes of Andrew Millsaps, Daniel Kemish and Douglas Berti will be performing live streams on the Electro-Voice Facebook page as part of the #EVOpenMic Series. You can find that here. With musicians unable to perform due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, Electro-Voice wanted to give musicians worldwide  a platform to perform and tapped into the very popular streaming from a controlled environment approach. Given that a number of artists from a variety of different genres use EV products, a casting call for musicians went out with no restriction on musical genre and of the 18 that were selected, a number are involved with country, Americana and folk. In total, 18 concerts will be held (one for each artist) and as well as that, each musician will be paid $300 and will also receive one Electro-Voice EVOLVE 30M column system and two Electro-Voice performance mics. The schedule for performances for relevant artists is as follows, though if you are unable to catch a performance live, the stream will be available for a limited time: May 28: Joni Sheila (Belgium, Singer-Songwriter) – 6pm GMT Douglas Berti (Brazil, Country & Folk) – 10pm GMT May 29: Marvin Dee Band (Netherlands, Americana Rock) – 6pm GMT May 30: Daniel Kemish (UK, Americana) – 7pm GMT SenoritAwesome! (US, Americana) – 8pm GMT Andrew Millsaps (US, Country) – 1am GMT

Up and coming UK artist Becky Lawrence has released her third single in five months in the shape of Empty Friendships, which was recorded  in lockdown. You can listen to the song here. Empty Friendships, the title coming from a writing session with fellow rising UK artist Charlotte Young, was co-written with her long time guitarist David Griffin, who also produced the track. Speaking about the song itself, which – as the name suggests – is about the friendships in life that are hollow, Lawrence believes that it is a track that most people can find common ground with as identifying those who really matter in your life is a very important thing to do. “It’s a song that I think most people can relate to,” Lawrence said. “As you go through life, you start to realise who those true friends are and the ones that, unfortunately, you have to say goodbye to.” Becky Lawrence, who hails from the Isle of Man originally but is now London based, has been busy releasing singles recently and Empty Friendships comes hot on the heels of Wasted On You (February 2020) and Now (December 2019). The lockdown has clearly not hampered Lawrence’s creativity, with the artist continuing to work with other UK acts such as the aforementioned Young in addition to Louise Parker, as she continues to work on her next project.