It’s officially fall, and we’ve got 10 hot new songs for y’all to “fall” for this month! For the month of October, we’re highlighting 10 news songs that have recently been released and heading to country radio! Add your favorites to your country music playlist, and call in to request at your local country radio station.
Country Music Rocks Featured Playlist – October 2017
Lauren Alaina’s new romantic comedy “Road Less Traveled” – titled for Alaina’s hit single of the same name – will make its television debut Friday, November 10th at 9pm ET/PT on CMT (encores Saturday, November 11th at Noon ET/PT). In her first feature-length film, Alaina stars as Charlotte, a successful songwriter struggling to balance her career and her dream of the perfect wedding.
Charlotte returns to her rural hometown of Harmony, Tenn. where she faces her past and reconsiders her future, especially after a chance encounter with her first love, Ray, played by Donny Boaz (“Six,” “NCIS”). Jason Burkey (“The Walking Dead”) stars as Spencer, Charlotte’s fiancé, and Charlene Tilton (“Dallas,” “The Love Boat”) appears as Babs, Charlotte’s eclectic aunt with a passion for wine-making.
The film samples a number of songs from Alaina’s sophomore album “Road Less Traveled,” including her newest single “Doin’ Fine,” along with “My Kinda People,” “Queen of Hearts,” “Painting Pillows,” “Holding the Other” and of course the #1 hit single “Road Less Traveled.”
Alaina just released her follow-up single “Doin’ Fine,” and is currently on a cross-country Canadian tour.
She’s nominated for her first CMA Award in the Best New Artist category, and earlier this year earned CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year award and MusicRow’s Breakthrough Artist Writer of the Year award.
Much has happened for William Michael Morgan since the release of his first single, “I Met A Girl,” and the 24-year-old returns to country radio as “Vinyl” – the title track from his debut album – arrives among the most added on the airplay charts. The honest offering mimics Morgan’s renewed sense of self, forged through a year that included major professional and personal milestones.
The 2017 CRS New Faces honoree made his national television debut on NBC’s TODAY, garnered Gold certification for his No. 1 single “I Met A Girl” and celebrated his daughter’s first birthday.
“‘Vinyl’ is my favorite cut on the album and I think it tells a great love story,” shared Morgan. “During a time of such uncertainty and confusion, it’s even more important to me that we chose this song because it is something so honest. Vinyl has always been a timeless classic and I hope it transports people, even for a moment, and does what we all know music can do, heal.”
Written by Carson Chamberlain, Ashley Gorley and Wade Kirby, the signature track proves to be a standout for fans and critics alike with Saving Country Music asserting, “‘Vinyl’ has the stuff to seek and find appeal with the mainstream flock.” It has been a staple in the Mississippi native’s live set often earning a standing ovation. The Boot lauded “Vinyl” as “a mellow tune that hearkens back to the traditional country sound that Morgan is so adept at capturing.”
Influenced by country music legends such as Keith Whitley and Merle Haggard, it was fitting for Morgan to contribute pieces to the 2017 American Currents exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Continuing to honor iconic musicians, Morgan is slated to perform October 12 for Opry County Classics at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Big Loud Records breakout talent Jillian Jacqueline has only just released her debut EP, SIDE A, but the singer-songwriter is already serving up another taste of her striking confessional style with the video for “Sugar and Salt.”
Making its premiere on Billboard.com, the bare-bones clip shines a light on Jacqueline’s raw, heart on her sleeve song craft. It features nothing more than Jacqueline, her retro style, and an electric guitar, bringing her bittersweet ballad of long-lasting love to life in a single take.
“Sugar and Salt” is one of nine standout tracks included on SIDE A, with details of a full-length album coming soon.
“There’s something really beautiful about couples that stay together for 50 years or more, and there’s also something really bittersweet about it,” explained Jacqueline exclusively to Billboard. “‘Sugar and Salt’ was my attempt at summing up how complicated the love in long-term relationships can be, when the history gets deeper but the staying together gets harder.”
Released on September 22, SIDE A follows the successful launch of four vibey tracks and videos this summer. Jacqueline’s unflinching breakup anthem, “Reasons,” has already been streamed over 11 million times on Spotify alone, and each of the other three – “Hate Me,” “Bleachers,” and “God Bless This Mess” – have topped 1 million plays.
The ongoing multi-media project continues to turn heads, while critics and fans alike have recognized the newcomer as a talent to watch. The Fader has named Jacqueline’s piano ballad “God Bless This Mess” as one of their 10 Amazing Country Songs for Fall, saying “There’s a reason the Philly singer has landed on the charts.” Jacqueline was also named Amazon Music’s first-ever Weekly One artist, with her carefree, loud-and-proud “Bleachers” spotlighted as the platform’s choice for the must-hear song of the week from an artist about to break.
Meanwhile, her high-profile performance at the massive Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival earned a rave review from Country-news heavyweight The Boot, who cited the artist as part of their 10 Epic Moments feature.
Last week was filled with more big-time shows in London, England during the buzz-worthy Country Music Week, and now she’ll return stateside to close out the year with concerts in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker and wife country singer, songwriter Jessie James Decker announced on Instagram (@jessiejamesdecker and @edeck87) that the couple is expecting their third child. Eric and Jessie shared video of the special moment when they told their daughter the exciting news.
“Eric and I are so excited to share with y’all that we are expecting baby Decker number 3! As you can see Viv is so happy and Bub doesn’t quite know what’s going on 😂 but we are over the moon and feel so blessed and can’t wait to meet this little one end of march ❤️” shared Jessie.
A post shared by Jessie James Decker (@jessiejamesdecker) on
Eric and Jessie star in the hit series “Eric & Jessie,” which is in its third season on E! The series follows the unforgettable daily adventures starring the songstress and her husband.
