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Chayce Beckham Channels Classic Country on “Ocean Blue”

Rising country artist Chayce Beckham has unveiled his latest single, “Ocean Blue”—a slow-burning heartbreaker that draws from the deep well of classic country storytelling.

Produced by Bart Butler and rooted in rich fiddle, steel guitar and a timeless rhythm section, the track sees Beckham lean further into the traditional side of the genre, with echoes of George Strait and Merle Haggard running through its melancholy tone.

Ocean Blue arrives in the wake of Beckham’s Platinum debut album Bad For Me and the chart-topping success of 23, marking a poignant shift towards introspection and lyrical depth.

Framing emotional vulnerability against maritime metaphors, the song likens heartbreak to being lost in the tides of memory and regret. The refrain is saturated in loneliness—its sea-soaked imagery bringing to life the feeling of being adrift with no shore in sight.

“I wrote this song last autumn with Brandon Kinney and John Pierce on my tour bus,” Beckham shared. “It’s one of my favourites. I’m proud of how it turned out, and I’m excited to finally have it out in the world.” He also hinted that Ocean Blue is just the beginning, with more music to follow—both “happy and sad.”

The release coincides with Beckham’s announcement as part of Warren Zeiders’ Relapse, Lies & Betrayal Tour this autumn, having already supported acts such as Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum and Tyler Hubbard.

The Grand Ole Opry NextStage artist continues to carve out a lane with songs that favour raw honesty over flash, solidifying his place among country music’s most authentic rising talents.

With “Ocean Blue”, Beckham delivers a track steeped in emotional resonance and steeped in the tradition of country storytelling—further proof that sometimes the most powerful songs are the ones that don’t shout, but quietly sink deep.

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Lost Charley Pride Album to Be Released

A long-lost album from country music legend Charley Pride will finally see the light of day this autumn, nearly five years after the singer’s passing.

Endlessly: A Tribute to Brook Benton, recorded in the mid-1980s but never released, will be unveiled on September 19 via Music City Records—marking what would have been Benton’s 94th birthday.

The record, unearthed from forgotten tape reels found in Pride’s Dallas production office in 2017 and digitised in 2021, showcases Pride’s reverence for the iconic R&B artist Brook Benton.

Featuring tracks like “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” “Kiddio” and the first single “Thank You Pretty Baby”, the album reflects a soulful, genre-blending approach that extends beyond Pride’s usual country roots.

Originally recorded between contracts with RCA and 16th Avenue Records, the album captures Pride at a creatively liberating moment in his career.

The sessions, produced by Bob Pickering at CECCA Sound, feature a string section and a stellar cast of North Texas musicians, including Chuck Rainey (Steely Dan), Gene Glover, Fred Crane, Jerry Matheny, and Billy Briggs Jr.

The songs predominantly hail from Benton’s prolific 1959–61 period, with Pride’s distinctive baritone bringing a fresh yet nostalgic energy to each track.

The album’s vintage sonic textures blend country, R&B, and pop, demonstrating Pride’s underappreciated musical versatility.

As one of the most trailblazing artists in country music history—with 40 #1 hits and over 10 million records sold—Charley Pride’s influence remains significant.

This posthumous release adds a powerful new chapter to his legacy, honouring both Benton’s songwriting and Pride’s own boundary-defying artistry.

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CMA Awards Nominees to Be Unveiled Monday

Nominees for the 59th Annual CMA Awards will be announced on Monday, September 8 at 12:00 PM CT via a livestream on the Country Music Association’s official Facebook and YouTube channels.

The reveal will also include finalists for the CMA Broadcast Awards, marking a key milestone in the lead-up to November’s major event.

The CMA Awards ceremony itself will be broadcast live from Nashville on Wednesday, November 19 via ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.

The CMA Awards, first held in 1967, remains the longest-running annual music awards broadcast on network television.

It celebrates the top achievements across country music, with winners and nominees selected by CMA’s professional voting membership—spanning artists, songwriters, musicians, producers, and industry professionals.

The awards are part of CMA’s broader television slate, which also includes CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas.

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Tim Brink Releases New Country Tune “Red Sand”

Canadian singer-songwriter Tim Brink has released his latest single, Red Sand—an atmospheric country track that continues his exploration of moody, southern gothic storytelling.

The track is the latest offering from Brink and his band The Rising, a project that fuses Americana, blues, and cinematic influences to create immersive, narrative-driven songs.

Brink, a seasoned Quebecois vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, is known for his gravel-edged voice and evocative performances. His career includes touring with the band Pete Möss, reaching the finals of La Voix IV (the French-Canadian version of The Voice), and even being considered for the role of lead singer with Stone Temple Pilots. With Red Sand, Brink further defines his distinct musical identity—bridging country, rock, and noir-inspired lyricism.

The new track, described by Brink as “a place where you are the only one standing between right and wrong in a world of dust,” captures the cinematic ethos central to his recent work. It follows the sonic themes of The Rising’s debut project, Dark City, which was produced by guitarist Samuel Busque and Michel Francoeur, and mixed and mastered at Red Tubes Studio.

Drawing inspiration from the soundscapes of Yellowstone, True Detective, and Justified, Brink and The Rising craft what they describe as “music that plays like a reel of film unspooling in your mind.” The band’s style has drawn comparisons to Colter Wall, Orville Peck, and Chris Stapleton, while also referencing the raw storytelling of Johnny Cash and the tension-filled energy of Tarantino soundtracks.

Red Sand reflects Brink’s continued commitment to crafting layered, narrative-rich country music rooted in emotion, imagery, and sonic boldness. It marks another step in his journey to bring a darker, more cinematic tone to the genre, appealing to fans of both traditional Americana and boundary-pushing roots music.

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Peytan Porter Signs Worldwide Publishing Deal

Singer/songwriter Peytan Porter has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Jody Williams Songs and Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

“I’m incredibly excited to begin this next chapter of my artistry and songwriting career with Jody Williams Songs and Sony Music Publishing,” shares Porter.

“For the past five years, JWS has been a safe, inspiring space for me to grow and create, so I’m deeply grateful to continue evolving with them while also stepping into new possibilities by joining the powerhouse that is SMP. Like the best art, this partnership lives at the intersection of familiarity and forward momentum. I can’t wait to see what we build together.”

“I’ve been a fan of Peytan for years now. She’s an incredibly talented vocalist who knows exactly who she is as an artist and a songwriter. I have so much respect for the Jody Williams Songs team and the talent they’ve been fostering – I couldn’t be more excited to be partnering with them as we champion Peytan and her music,” shares Synnovea Halsel, Manager of Creative A&R, Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

“Partnering with Synnovea on this next chapter in Peytan’s career was such an obvious choice,” adds Nina Jenkins Fisher, JWS Vice President/General Manager.

“She has an incredible ear and is laser focused. Alongside Rusty, she hypes up her roster like no one else. They see the vision for this next season with Peytan, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

A genre-blurring artist in today’s country and indie music scene, Porter’s roots in Appalachian country paired with a deep love for songwriting finds the Georgia native blending personal experiences with universal themes.

Her breakout project In My Head garnered over 10 million streams, and her Grown EP features fan favorites like “God’s Hotel,” “Speaking of Georgia” and “Lemonade.” She has toured with Tim McGraw and shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Ian Munsick, Hailey Whitters, Brett Eldrdge and Jon Pardi.

With a strong online presence, Peytan has cultivated a loyal following of 330k across various platforms and boasts 50 million views on TikTok. Her active engagement with fans and the positive reception of her new music on social media showcase her ability to connect authentically with listeners.