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Lauren Watkins Follows Oprey Debut with “Marlboro Man” Release

Big Loud songstress Lauren Watkins leans into western nostalgia with the release of “Marlboro Man”, a slow-burning track that captures the longing for an old-school cowboy – part myth, part memory – painting a romantic portrait of a love that never stays but always leaves a mark.

Written by Watkins, Natalie Hemby and Jeremy Spillman and produced by ACM and CMA winning producer Will Bundy (“you look like you love me”), “Marlboro Man” offers the timeless country storytelling that listeners have come to expect from Watkins, delivered with a modern edge. A cinematic nod to the rugged westerns and unattainable romance, the track evokes a bygone archetype that still lingers today.

“I’d had the idea for ‘Marlboro Man’ in my back pocket for a while,” shares Watkins. “I’m a pretty nostalgic person by nature – I’m always reminiscing, missing how things used to be. I brought the idea to Natalie and Jeremy because I knew they’d go there with me. I’ve always been drawn to this image of the ‘Marlboro Man’ — not necessarily for the cigarettes, but for what he stood for. He was rugged, masculine, quiet and kind of untouchable. There’s something romantic about it, and I wanted to write a song that felt like that.”

The new music comes amidst a big summer for the rising artist, with “Marlboro Man” joining the no-nonsense anthem “I’ll Get Through It” and April’s “Lose My Cool” – her first since her 17-track critically acclaimed debut album The Heartbroken Record. Now happily married, Watkins is moving on from heartbreak and on to greener pastures in her new chapter, with Country Now tapping “Lose My Cool” as “the perfect introduction to Watkins’ next project as it perfectly encapsulates what she is feeling right now,” while Holler praised it “as bright and breezy as a fresh spring morning.”

Last month, Watkins fulfilled a lifelong dream by stepping into the coveted Grand Ole Opry circle for the first time. She’ll continue to build momentum on the road, touring with Riley Green this summer before joining Lainey Wilson and Kameron Marlowe in the fall.

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Rising Country Artist Vincent Mason Turns up the Summer Heat with “Damned If I Do”

Songwriter and artist Vincent Mason turns up the emotional heat this summer with his newest release, “Damned If I Do,” available now everywhere.

Mason doesn’t just sing about heartbreak; he lives in it, which allows him to curate a song that sounds more like a journal entry than a record.

Written by Vincent with Jacob Hackworth and Lauren Hungate, the trio concoct a country confessional anchored by an unforgettable hook. He continues to carve out his place as one of the most compelling voices in the country music scene.

“Coming off of my first year of touring, I wanted something different musically that I could look forward to playing every night, shares Mason. “I wrote it with Lauren Hungate and Jacob Hackworth, two of my favourite writers in town. This song is one of my favourite moments on the new record, and I’m sure it will be one of my favourites on the road.”

Mason spent most of 2025 so far on his first-ever headlining run, the Hell Is A Dance Floor Tour, which sold out in presale and expanded with a second leg due to overwhelming demand.

He’ll stay on the road throughout the year, joining Riley Green, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, and Parker McCollum as an opener on select dates, while also hitting major festivals across the country.

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Sammy Sadler Releases New Single “If I Had A Cheating Heart”

Country singer Sammy Sadler continues to honour the legacy of ’80s and ’90s country with the release of his latest single, “If I Had A Cheating Heart”.

Originally a Top 10 hit for Mel Street in 1978, the song was later re-recorded by Ricky Lynn Gregg in 1993, reaching the Top 40. Written by Wayland Holyfield (Anne Murray, Don Williams, Ronnie Milsap) and Al Turney (Mel Street, Don Williams), “If I Had a Cheating Heart” has become a favorite among country traditionalists. Sadler’s take on the classic track proves that his timeless style continues to resonate with fans of authentic country music.

“Country music has been the number one passion of mine since I was a little boy,” shares Sadler. “I remember my family bringing me to the Grand Ole Opry and being amazed by the stars who took the stage, their stories, and their songs. Also my journey hasn’t gone as planned in many ways, I am thankful that God has allowed me to keep singing and putting out new music. Here’s to the next chapter!”

With a career shaped by determination and raw talent, Sammy Sadler has carved out a story all his own in Nashville. He first gained national attention in 1989 with his charting rendition of Aaron Neville’s “Tell It Like It Is,” followed by “You Made It Easy.” But his momentum was cut short when he was seriously wounded in the same shooting that took the life of Cash Box chart director Kevin Hughes—an incident that became known as the “Murder on Music Row.”

After several years away from the spotlight, Sadler returned with ‘Hard On a Heart’ in 2004, earning recognition in Texas and internationally. He continued his comeback with ‘Heart Shaped Like Texas’ in 2009.

Sadler will perform select shows with singer-songwriter Dave Gibson (Tanya Tucker, Alabama, Joe Diffie) on their ‘Hits & History Tour’ with their first show in Nashville, Tennessee at Chiefs on Broadway later this summer.

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Billy Currington Launches Latest Song “King of the World”

Multi-Platinum country star Billy Currington has dropped his latest song “King of the World”, written by Troy Jones and bringing back the fun summer feeling of his biggest chart-topping hits.

With more new music coming soon, fans can catch Currington on the road all summer on tour. Stopping in 16–cities across the US, Currington, along with Kip Moore, is hitting major markets including Los Angeles, Austin, Boston and more. The tour also features artist Marlon Funaki.

Currington has spent nearly two decades topping the country charts, parlaying his rich, emotion-laden tenor and unerring song sense into some of the format’s most memorable hits.

Across multiple Platinum-certified albums, the Georgia native has tallied 12 No. 1 singles, including 4X Platinum hit “People Are Crazy,” 4X Platinum “Good Directions,” 4X Platinum “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” plus Double-Platinum “Do I Make You Wanna,” Platinum “We Are Tonight,” and more.

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John Carter Cash Announces Upcoming Full-Length Album ‘Pineapple John’

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and producer John Carter Cash is set to release his highly anticipated full-length album, Pineapple John, on September 12.

The album is a cinematic journey that blends rich storytelling with captivating melodies, following the life of the life-worn singer-songwriter Pineapple John. As a preview of the album, John Carter Cash’s new single, “Snow On the Sand,” will be released on July 25 and is now available for pre-save here.

Pineapple John is a deeply thematic album, unfolding like a film with its own narrative arc. Produced by John Carter and Trey Call, the album explores themes of love, loss, redemption, and self-discovery. From the opening prelude “Nekid Man (Pineapple John Prelude)” to the closing track “The Island Fair/ Captain Jim’s Drunken Dream/ Carry On,” the album immerses listeners in a world that is both thought-provoking and emotionally rich.

“Snow On the Sand,” the first single from Pineapple John, serves as a pivotal moment in the album’s storyline. The track captures the emotional contrasts of the album, combining poignant lyrics with a stirring soundscape that reflects the warmth of the beach juxtaposed against the cold remnants of a past long left behind. The song’s release is just a taste of the album’s overarching journey, and fans can expect a mix of contemporary folk and timeless storytelling, all framed by Cash’s expert craftsmanship.

“I’m incredibly excited to share ‘Snow On The Sand,’” says John Carter Cash. “It’s the first glimpse into Pineapple John and the beginning of what I hope will be a deeply personal journey for my listeners. The full album is a reflection of life’s struggles and triumphs, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.”

The album features performances from some of country music’s most talented artists. Marty Stuart plays electric guitar on “The Island Fair,” while Clare Bowen lends her voice as a background vocalist on both “The Hole In The Bottom of the Sea” and “The Island Fair.” Brandon Young, co-writer on “The Ocean Calling”, also contributes background vocals on “Pineapple John” among other songs. John Carter’s daughter A.B. Cash joins her father on “Beckoning Melody.” “The Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” (featuring vocals by John’s nephew Thomas Gabriel) and other collaborations contribute to the album’s depth, with each artist adding their unique touch to the tale.

Pineapple John features co-writes with a diverse group of songwriters, including Jack Ezra Cash, Caleb Caudle, Bill Miller, Thomas Gabriel, and others. Additionally, the album includes the classic song “Shame and Scandal,” written by Lord Melody, and a rendition of “Jamaica Farewell” by Irving Burgie. Pineapple John will be released by Avondale Records and distributed through The Orchard.