EP REVIEW: Happy Man by Bucky Covington

He's back and he's better than ever. 
If you've been a fan of country music for a few years now, you were probably one of the millions of people who fell in love with a song called, "A Different World". Not ringing any bells? Well it was composed of lyrics like: "Rode bikes with no helmets and still here we are. We got daddy's belt when we misbehaved. Had three TV channels you got up to change."
Remember the song we are talking about now? Of course you do. In 2007, Bucky Covington was a name everyone knew and everyone loved. After taking a backseat to country music for the past few years, Bucky overcame major career hurdles and has released new music for the first time in three years. 
Bucky is back with a new single, "I Feel Ya" and a six song EP featuring the laid-back southern drawl we've been longing to hear again. 
Bucky fans, thanks for being patient. This EP was worth the wait. 

TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. “I Feel Ya” (Eric Mallon, Ruben Estevez, Jason Afable)

Two words come to mind when we listen to the first single off 'Happy Man': DANCE + PARTY. This song is sure to get your head bobbing and your toes tapping. Here's to hoping all our favorite local honky-tonks decide to spin this track on a regular basis. Throw on your boots and get your dance on. Can't get this song out of your head? We feel, we feel, we feel, we feel, we feel ya…

2. “Girl You Get To Me” (Dale Oliver, Serg Salinas, Michael Harter)

THIS is the Bucky Covington the world has been needing. If you can listen to this track and not get the feels then you might want to see your doctor because there's no way you are human. Smooth, sultry, and most importantly, country; this song should be his next single if you ask us.

3. “I’m Saying Something” (Matt Warren)

If you're yearning for BC to slow it down a little bit, then "I'm Saying Something" is the song for you. With a sound similar to an old school Mark Chesnut or Clay Walker, we simply can't get enough. Someone get this on the radio ASAP.

4. “Somewhere Looking Beautiful” (Bucky Covington, Dale Oliver, Dan Couch)

Yes. Just yes. This song is penned to be a "classic country" love/breakup song. Listed as a co-writer, Bucky should take pride in knowing the lyrics are something truly amazing. So all you gals looking for a breakup song to listen to on repeat, LOOK NO FURTHER.

5. “Buzzin” (Brad Hull)

Add in some banjo and you have our attention. The perfect song for summer, "Buzzin" brings us back to the long days out on the lake. Turn it up loud, throw on your swimsuits, and dance around in your cutoffs to this upbeat tune all summer long.

6. “Happy Man” (Shannon Lawson)

"Happy Man" is quite possibly going to be the song that shoots Bucky Covington back up to the top of the charts. This is the type of song that only someone like Bucky can pull off. It's witty and it's tongue-in-cheek. Let's face it, anyone who uses lines like "all that silly stuff just sounds the same" in a song deserves to have his voice heard.

So think Chris Janson and Buy Me A Boat. THAT'S where we see Bucky Covington going with "Happy Man".

Pick up your copy on iTunes today. 

Trust us, you'll be a "happy man" or women. You get the idea.

EP REVIEW: The Half Of It // Ryan Lafferty

You've probably heard his name, his voice, his music.

Maybe you've jammed out to his SoundCloud page.

Or are you one of the lucky ones who's seen him on the road with Canaan Smith and Dan + Shay?

Regardless, you've NEVER heard Ryan Lafferty quite like this.

Country music, and music in general, tends to focus on story-telling. Ryan has the ability to capture moments in lyrics and songs like no one else I've ever met. The tone in his voice will have you heartbroken, overjoyed, and yearning for more. No matter the song or mood, Ryan captures it perfectly. 

The Half Of It EP features 6 songs:  Close To You, Out Of The Picture, Let Me Get You Through The Night, Thief, Stalemate, and What The Night Might Bring.

EP's are meant as a preview. A way to get to know the artist before the full album is usually released. I look at an EP as a platform to show people what you have to offer straight from the start. 

EP's should showcase a little of everything the artist has in their soul.

With The Half Of It, you have energy, lust, love, mystery, and soul all wrapped up in six great songs.

The song Stalemate was an early favorite. From the first line ["first date, sex great, check…"] I knew this was something I'd never heard before in country music. It's one of those songs that gets you thinking immediately. After the first listen, I wrote down "find out how this song came together" in my notes. And I did….

What is the story behind Stalemate? How did it come to life?

Ryan Lafferty: I was driving to a gig in Arkansas and i had the idea in my head, and that first line came to my head with that melody. I immediately recorded it into my phone and felt like it could be special. From there I wanted to write a song that didn't diminish the truth of a lot of those types of situations while still being true to the high, the lure, and the sexiness of it all. 

 Let Me Hold You Through The Night, Close To You, and Out Of The Picture are three songs I could see seamlessly folding into country music radio without people blinking an eye. Upbeat, fun, and relatable tunes that will have you groovin' on a Friday night for sure.

What The Night Might Bring is the perfect 'going out' song. It's about being in that moment of love/lust but not knowing what will happen at the end of the night.

"You broke into my heart. Now you're all I want…" // Thief. The song on the EP that really brought the groove. Ever had someone steal your heart? Well THIS is the song for you. Expect this little jam to be on repeat all summer long.

If HE had to pick a single right now, he says it would be Close To You. If I had to pick a single FOR HIM? Yeah, I couldn't. This EP is just THAT GOOD people. 

Ryan sums up his debut EP best in his song What The Night Might Bring…

"the kind of feelin' rushin' through your veins that you just can't explain. And it won't go away"

These six tracks will flow through your veins, flutter your heart, and make your toes tap for weeks.

Trust me, I'm still riding this music high.

Catch your first listen to The Half Of It when it is released exclusively to Spotify today:

Purchase the EP on iTunes in July.

CONCERT REVIEW: Thomas Rhett & Chris Lane

1|31|2015
Live At The Joe

Thomas Rhett & Chris Lane

Cotton Eyed Joe|| Knoxville TN

Prior to show…

I was lucky enough to be allowed exclusive access to Chris Lane's soundcheck a few hours prior to the big show. [and bring a cool TL inspired cookie cake. #TLlovesCL] 

It was cool to see just how much truly goes into setting the place up before a big show. I also loved being able to see Chris and his band on a more personal level. They share an incredible bond. After just a few minutes with them, you could tell they were much more than bandmates, they were brothers and friends.

Anyone who follows Chris Lane on social media will understand my excitement when I say these three words:
I  M E T   L O U!!!!!!!!!!!!
…and YES she is just as cute as she looks!!

And for those of you wondering who Lou is…read this and fall in love!! 

"This morning I was homeless and hungry. This afternoon I'm loved and cruising down the road on a big tour bus." 

#LouisianaLane #LouEasy #RescueLou

Chris Lane

Chris Lane has been one of the new artists on my radar for a while now. I had the chance to interview him [here] almost a year ago and I've been a HUGE fan ever since. When I found out he was coming to open for Thomas Rhett I literally jumped for joy. 
I'm willing to bet most of you all know Chris because of his single Broken Windshield View. I know that it had quite a bit of exposure here in Knoxville so I imagine y'all maybe jammed to the tune too without even realizing who the man behind the song was.

Chris Lane puts on an incredible show. I love the classic Chris songs and dancing along to Broken Windshield View, but I'm totally 'fangirling' over all the new tunes he's layin out.
This show made me even more excited for another EP/album!

This guy has an amazing heart and an incredible work ethic. Can't wait to see what the future holds for this guy!
Sidenote…Chris Lane looked pretty good in an orange TN shirt on stage. 
[even hours after we lost to Auburn]

Thomas Rhett

After Chris Lane got the crowd groovin' another artist took the stage.
Thomas Rhett. Ya ever heard of this dude? [if you say no, you live under a rock]

This was my first time seeing T Rhett headline and oh my goodness was it the greatest thing I've ever witnessed. 

First and foremost, is it even considered a bar concert if someone doesn't cover Friends In Low Places? 
Cause T Rhett checked that item off his concert list. 
And it kinda had me sayin' Garth who?
Seriously, the covers are worth starting the review with. We had Friends In Low Places obviously, but the highlight of the night for 99% of the crowd? Yeah, that'd be an Uptown Funk cover. With his fedora in place and his dance moves on point, T Rhett showed Bruno Mars what was up.

Favorite Performances /&/ Best Moment

We had a Parking Lot Party 
We talked about what to do with our hands.
We strived to get us some of 'that' 
And we considered what it would be like to throw back a can with the Man upstairs. 

While those performances blew me away, hearing the words "That Ain't My Truck" made my heart flutter and gave my belly butterflies. All my friends refer to me as the "90s queen". Seriously, was there anything better than the 90s? Anyway, Thomas's dad, Rhett Atkins, recorded this little ditty in '95 and it's constantly on repeat for me! Having T Rhett AND his dad sing that song on stage in my hometown really changed my life. I am currently still getting cold chills thinking about it. There's just something about hearing one of your current favorite artists sing a song with another artist whom you've loved for years and years. 
It just so happens that this time those artists are also father and son. 

[[quick recap]]

Thomas Rhett can do NO wrong in my book. 

Anyone who can give me chills, make me cry, and help me revive my love for 90's country deserves a sold out show…
THE BEST PART? 
I get to do it all over again this weekend.

Stay tuned...
T Rhett Round Two 
2|6|2015
Thomas Rhett & Chase Bryant
Cotton Eyed Joe || Knoxville TN

slideshow crowd photos provided by Q100.3 Country
header photo provided by Brad Parker edits made by The Tennessee Life

Video Review: One Hell Of An Amen // Brantley Gilbert

>> Yeah he went out, 21 guns blazin.<<

A ready to party attitude, tattoos, a bike,

Guns, friends, a southern drawl, a ball cap,

Rugged (handsome) beard, rings, backflips,

And of course, his well known brass knuckle microphone

All known to be witnessed in our favorite outlaw, Brantley Gilbert’s music videos.

Brantley Gilbert’s highly anticipated song “One Hell Of An Amen” was released in November of 2014 with his newest album Just As I Am.

Gilbert revealed that the song is based on a true story, based on the death of a U.S military soldier who was a ‘brother’ to one of his close friends.

[unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know BG writes all of his own stuff & is even behind some of the biggest songs to hit the airwaves]

I personally, had high expectations for this music video, when I heard this song for the first time, I didn’t take it off of repeat for three days. [not kidding]

Brantley and his band did NOT disappoint. I had chills up and down my spine, the entire 3:46 minutes, with yes, some tears.

In previous BG videos, we witness Brantley’s party side such as “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “Small Town Throwdown” collab with buddies Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett. However, this soft side comes out in “One Hell Of An Amen” because, to me this is something incredibly personal and emotional for him.

The video starts out in a rustic, old run down church, with BG and the band. Clips of Brantley in a cemetery flash throughout the entire music video and more clips of Brantley on his “Athens to Arlington” ride he took this spring. And ends with “In Honor of Jon and Kory, and all of those who have fought the good fight.”

[this ride was in conjunction with his partnership with Folds of Honor Foundation]

Whether this man is singing about throwin down, bottoms up, or paying tribute to a fallen soldier; the passion he has for music and the passion he has for soldiers is outstanding and admirable.  

Give your loved ones an extra hug tonight, because many families out there are wishing they could give their loved ones, who is fighting the good fight one last hug.

Xoxo, Carly

photo courtesy of country voice

edits made by The Tennessee Life

EAR CANDY: the new gals

<<WHAT YOUR EARS ARE LUSTING OVER//

So a while back on the CMA Awards, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley brought up a disease that half of the world population has been struck with….PPTSD [Post Partum Taylor Swift Disorder]. Well if you happen to be one of the many facing this, I’ve got just the playlist for you.

Meet the gals who will have you asking, “Taylor Swift who?”

>>inhale the ear candy<<

Get Drunk & Cry || Ruthie Collins

Better Than You Left Me || Mickey Guyton

Lovin’ You Ain’t Right || Laurel Wright

Looking At Stars || Kelsea Ballerini

Sierra || Maddie & Tae

Smoke When I Drink || Kelleigh Bannen

Roll All Night || Whitney Duncan

While The Streetlights Shine || Marla Morris

Scars || Logan Brill

Kissin Frogs || RaeLynn

 

ARTIST INTERVIEW: CANAAN SMITH

//And I feel proud that I’m not feeling the pressure to keep up with what’s going on. I feel like the music that we are making is something that stands apart and I’m excited to share it with people.//

Anyone can fit the mold. Only the greatest artists step out of their comfort zones and stay true to themselves. And for that reason, they stand out and find the greatest of success.

You know his name, you’ve heard his voice, you’ve jammed to his new single Love You Like That.

Now it’s time to get to know the down-to-earth soul behind the music.

Meet the guy I’d bet all my money on being a star…

Canaan Smith

 

Age:

32

Hometown || Currently Living:

Williamsburg, Virginia // Nashville TN

When did you move to Nashville?

I’ve lived in Nashville for the past ten years.

Did you move to sing and write?

Yes. Yeah I moved here with that crazy dream that we all get. But to actually come through and make is the coolest thing. I definitely moved here with those intentions to sing and I feel lucky to actually get to do it.

What inspired you to want to become a singer/songwriter?

Just to tell my stories, ya know. I just always knew. I picked up guitar when I was twelve. My older brother took lessons first and I kinda thought it was cool that he played. So I started to play and I just couldn’t put it down. It became the place that I would go to. I was really big into sports when I was a kid but once I started playing guitar it went away. I used to shoot the lights out of a basketball but now I can’t hit the broadside of a barn. I’m so bad because I traded it all for guitar and music. It just became part of who I am more so than anything else.

So you mentioned guitar, did you teach yourself?

I took a couple start-up lessons from a family friend that showed me a couple chords. But from that I just taught myself by listening to records and stuff.

Your tone is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever heard in country music. Is that something you’ve developed over time?

Um, no I think it’s just how I sing and talk I guess? I don’t know. I’m not trying to be anything except just being myself. I guess that’s where it comes from.

What is your favorite career moment this far?

Man they are all so awesome. Each milestone is so important and I have so much to be thankful for. Playing the Opry for the first time was incredible. Signing a record deal was incredible. And then, you know, just like getting to hear your song come on the radio. It’s so hard to beat that feeling. Those moments just show the progress and being able to finally see your dreams come true that you’ve had for so long. I had to pull over the car when I heard Love You Like That on the radio. I was in Nashville actually and heard it on the radio and I had to pull over at a gas station just to take it all in. You can’t really describe it, it’s just pretty amazing.

If you could write a song for/with someone whom would you choose?

There are some hero songwriters in mind that I’ve gotten to be in the room with which is so cool to have that happen already. I’d pick an artist maybe. Like maybe Eric Church. Or somebody like my all time favorite, George Strait. I know he didn’t write a lot but it’d be cool just to sit in a room with him.

If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?

I think that Eric Church would a good fit. I think Keith Urban would be a good fit. Those guys, yeah I just respect everything they do as artists.

Where do you see yourself when you look down the road at your career?

I wanna still be on top of my game. That just meaning I wanna have the best songs. I wanna sell out venues and stadiums. And more importantly than that, I just want people to continue to relate to my music. And if they are doing that, everything else will fall into place.

Okay, let’s talk about your new single.

What was the inspiration behind Love You Like That?

My wife. I met my wife on the road a couple years ago. And just shortly after I met her, I wrote this song. And I wanted a love song that wasn’t all fluffy and girly. I needed a tough guy love song. It’s about being a shoulder to lean on. Strong as whiskey and that kind of stuff. You know, what they want to hear and a guy can feel okay singing it. It really just means when a man wants to protect and keep a woman close. You know that’s what the song is saying.

If I weren’t a singer I would be….

LOST

I’m afraid of…

Snakes

I never get tired of….

Music

Last question, what’s a little fun fact or a random thing that no one really knows about you?

I’m pretty good at helping my wife with stuff around the house. I like to build stuff. I’ve built some furniture.

So what does 2015 look like for Canaan Smith?

2015 is just gonna be the year we hopefully will really start to breakout and I’m super stoked about the album. I’m going in to cut the rest of album here in a few weeks.

C O N N E C T

TWITTER || FB || INSTAGRAM || WEB

F E E D   Y O U R   A D D I C T I O N

>>SPECIAL THANKS TO CANAAN SMITH FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF HIS SUPER BUSY SCHEDULE TO SIT DOWN WITH ME FOR AN INTERVIEW. THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING! 2015 JUST MIGHT BE HIS YEAR!!<<

MAKE SURE Y'ALL FIND A CITY NEAR YOU AND CATCH CANAAN ON THE DAN + SHAY TOUR!