Steve Moakler Keeps It Real With Debut Self-Titled EP

Steve Moakler just released his debut, self-titled EP, and it serves as a solid introduction to the country newcomer. Landing on several Artists to Watch lists for 2016, including ours, this release further solidifies the impact he’s had on the industry thus far.

Comprised of 5 tracks, 4 of which were co-written by Moakler, the well balanced EP offers listeners a collection of quality music. Featured single “Suitcase,” written by Thomas Rhett, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean, has been released to radio and will make for a great addition to the country radio airwaves. The mid-tempo, catchy tune focuses on being happy & content, while everyone around you is constantly chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

From the blue-collar track of “Steel Town,” to the cool, fresh vibe of “Love Drunk,” and each song in between, Moakler manages to make each track new and unique, regardless if it’s a subject we’ve likely heard before. The country newcomer keeps it real and honest on this album, and fans will likely identify with and embrace each song immediately.

Steve Moakler will be showcasing his new music out on the road this spring on his headlining “Suitcase Tour.” For a list of tour dates, please click here.

Pick up your copy the debut, self-titled Steve Moakler EP on iTunes here. Be sure to call in and request his leading single “Suitcase” at a local country radio station near you.

Stay connected with Steve Moakler and keep up with him by visiting his Official Website, Like him on Facebook, and Follow him on Twitter & Instagram.

CMR Exclusive: Introducing… Jessie Leigh

Country Music Rocks is proud to exclusively introduce Jessie Leigh.  Hailing from Estacada, OR, the country newcomer is currently putting the final touches on her debut studio album.

To celebrate this career milestone, Leigh is set to release brand new single “‘Til The Lights Burn Out” in the coming weeks. Transitioning into the warmer months, the new track will make for a perfect addition to your country music playlist.

We went behind the scenes in the studio with Jessie where she provided us with details of her new music, including the deeply personal single, “Feels Like Home.” Check out the video below as Jessie Leigh shares her story exclusively with us, or click here to watch.

With women on the rise in country music, Jessie Leigh makes for a perfect addition to this genre. Having won the 2015 Battle of the Bands, a prestigious title in the PNW country music community, the rising star is ready to showcase her music on a national level with this upcoming release.

Stay connected with Jessie Leigh by visiting her Official Website, Like her and Facebook,and Follow her on Instagram & YouTube.

Jennifer Nettles Sets May 13 Release Date For New Album “Playing With Fire”

Grammy Award-winning Country superstar Jennifer Nettles announced today her highly-anticipated second solo studio album Playing With Fire will be released May 13 on Big Machine Records.

“I am so proud of this record,” expressed Nettles. “I can’t wait to share it with my fans and hear their reactions. It is a ton of sass and emotion and fun.”

Produced by Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler), the album was recorded in Nashville. The multi-talented singer/songwriter collaborated with Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Jessie Jo Dillon and Lori McKenna on each of the album’s 11 tracks.

Nettles premiered the album’s lead single “Unlove You” last fall on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The single is currently ascending the Country radio charts. Fans and critics alike have praised the song, with Rolling Stone calling it a “smoldering tune” and Taste Of Country hailing it a “soaring ballad” and a “reminder of just how talented of a vocalist [Nettles] truly is.”

Playing With Fire comes on the heels of a busy year’s end which saw Nettles embark on her headline Playing With Fire Tour, which hit 20+ cities with openers Brandy Clark and Ryan Kinder. Nettles also made her acting debut on NBC’s critically-acclaimed and ratings success Coat Of Many Colors, returned to her hosting duties on ABC’s CMA Country Christmas special and appeared on the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nettles currently rules the road on the 30+ date CMT 2016 Next Women Of Country Tour across the US and Canada alongside Brandy Clark, Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson. She will partner with Big Machine Records labelmate and legendary rockers Cheap Trick on the March 24 episode of CMT Crossroads and join the star-studded lineup for The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson on March 16.

For tour dates and the latest updates, visit www.JenniferNettles.com.

Silverado Records Launches with Flagship Artist Nick Smith

Silverado Records, a new independent Country music record label, today announced the signing of the label’s first artist, Nick Smith of Nashville. Smith, originally from Enville, TN has been making his mark on the Nashville music scene since 2010, playing at local venues and building a solid fan base.

Smith has opened for big names in Country, like Little Big Town and has played across the Nashville music scene, including the famed Blue Bird Cafe, the Grand Ole Opry, and others. Nick has spent time writing with some of the top names in Country, including Drew Smith, Jeff Bates and Joe Diffie.

“Nick has an exciting and authentic sound, which we’re really looking forward to sharing with Country music lovers,” said Silverado Records CEO Scott Thomas. “Nick is the real deal, from the country and small town America, but with big ideas and a killer work ethic. Nick was the rock-solid kind of artist we wanted to kick Silverado Records off with, and we can’t wait to get him out there to the fans,” added Thomas.

“We couldn’t be more excited to announce our signing of Nick, Silverado’s first! His passion for this genre drives him to write & record songs that not only conveys who he is but what matters and what he truly believes in,” said Silverado Records A&R Director Aaron Chesling. “There’s an authenticity about Nick you can’t shake once you’ve met him, and that kind of connection is what we’re working to create with Country music fans,” Chesling added.

On signing with Silverado, Smith said “Silverado has given me a great opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. I couldn’t be more excited to represent Country music with the team at Silverado. Let’s do this!”

Smith is actively writing new songs, and spending time in the studio.

Silverado Records, officially launched this week, has been teasing on Twitter and other social media outlets for some time, building an early base of excited fans. The label plans to make some additional announcements in the coming weeks, including new music from Smith, and more.

Nick can be found online at nicksmithofficial.com

Kiefer Sutherland Announces Nationwide Tour and Debut Album

Kiefer Sutherland will bring his rich, soulful vocals and guitar licks to venues across the country beginning April 14 when he performs for audiences with a set list that includes cuts from his folk-tinged album, Down In A Hole, set for release this summer.

Sutherland, known for his starring role on the Fox series “24,” will bring his debut tour as a musician to 26 venues across the country beginning April 14. More dates will be added.

A professional actor his entire adult life, Sutherland starred in movies like ‘Stand By Me’, ‘The Lost Boys’, ‘Young Guns’, Flatliners’, ‘A Few Good Men’, ‘A Time to Kill’, ‘Dark City’, ‘Melancholia’ and most recently, a western called ‘Forsaken’ and the upcoming ABC series “Designated Survivor.”

Unknown to many during the course of his career, he has taken on other vocations with the same kind of dedication and commitment. In 2002, Sutherland, with his music partner and best friend Jude Cole, began a small record label called Ironworks. The goal of this label was to record local musicians and distribute their music at a time when the music industry was going through a monumental shift. Some of their artists included Rocco DeLuca and the Burden, HoneyHoney and Billy Boy On Poison. In 2009, Sutherland left the label to recharge and figure out what he was going to do next.

In early 2015 Sutherland played Cole two songs he had written and wanted to record as demos for other artists to record. Cole responded positively to the songs and the album grew organically from those recordings. Two songs became four and four grew into six, until Cole suggested that they make a record. Their collaboration resulted in Sutherland’s upcoming debut album: Down In A Hole.

“It’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a journal or diary. All of these songs are pulled from my own personal experiences. There is something very satisfying about being able to look back on my own life, good times and bad, and express those sentiments in music. As much as I have enjoyed the writing and recording process, I am experiencing great joy now being able to play these songs to a live audience, which was something I hadn’t counted on,” Sutherland said of the 11-track album. A track listing and release date will be announced soon.

Stay social with Kiefer Sutherland by following him on Twitter and Facebook.

KIEFER SUTHERLAND ON TOUR:
April 14 Milwaukee, Wis. – Shank Hall
April 15 Madison, Wis. – Majestic
April 16 Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Pyramid Scheme
April 18 Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Ark
April 19 Cleveland, Ohio – Grog Shop
April 20 Pittsburgh, Pa. – Hard Rock Cafe
April 22 Huntington, W. Va. – V Club
April 23 Cincinnati, Ohio – Ballroom at the Taft
April 24 Indianapolis, Ind – Vogue
April 26 Columbus, Ohio – A&R Music Bar
May 04 Charlotte, N.C. – Visulite Theatre
May 06 Raleigh, N.C. – Lincoln Theatre
May 08 Richmond, Va. – Capital Ale House
May 09 Annapolis, Md. – Ram’s Head Tavern
May 11 Wilmington, Del. – World Cafe Live
May 12 Teaneck, N.J. – Mexicali Live
May 14 Pawling, N.Y. – Daryl’s House
May 15 Ithaca, N.Y. – The Dock
May 16 Buffalo, N.Y. – Iron Works
May 19 Northampton, Mass. – Iron Horse
May 20 Boston, Mass. – Brighton Music Hall
May 21 Providence, R.I. – The Met
May 24 Asbury Park, N.J. – Stone Pony
May 25 Long Island, N.Y. – Founders Room
May 26 Sellersville, Pa. – Sellersville Theater
May 28 Amagansett, N.Y. – Stephen Talkhouse