NEW MUSIC WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Singer-songwriter and outlaw Lacy J. Dalton is celebrating the 45th anniversary of her signature hit “Takin’ It Easy,”the title track from her third album with Columbia Records. Released in July 1981 as the lead single from the project, the song went on to become the highest-charting single of Dalton’s career, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Co-written by Dalton, Billy Sherrill, and Mark Sherrill, “Takin’ It Easy” helped define her distinctive blend of country, rock, and soulful storytelling, and remains one of her most enduring classics. To purchase/stream: lnk.to/TakinItEasy “‘Takin’ It Easy’ started as my old friend Mark Sherrill’s idea. We began writing it together in his fishing boat on a lake near Hendersonville, Tenn., then finished it with his cousin, the great Billy Sherrill, whose legendary productions included George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ray Charles, and, lucky for me, my record too. Looking back 45 years later, it’s amazing to see how many people still connect with this song. I’m grateful it has continued to mean so much to so many fans through the years.” — Lacy J. Dalton  Dalton recently reissued three fan-favorite albums and five singles as part of her ongoing partnership with StarVista Music. Read the full article

There are songs written for the charts, and then there are songs written for survival. For Emmy Award-winning spoken word artist, educator, and America's Got Talent champion Brandon Leake, his new single "I've Got" was born from a season when he needed hope himself. A vibrant fusion of spoken word, hip-hop, and gospel music, "I've Got" arrives as both a personal testimony and a communal anthem, delivering a message of gratitude, resilience, and joy at a time when many people are searching for reasons to keep moving forward. STREAM HERE At its core, "I've Got" explores what remains when life feels uncertain and overwhelming. Rather than focusing on absence, the song centers on presence—the small, steady anchors people hold onto during difficult seasons. Written during a deeply personal chapter for Leake and his family, the record reflects a turning point where music became both outlet and expression. Leake shares, "'I've Got' is a joyous fusion of Spoken Word, Hip-Hop, and Gospel music. From its sonics to its lyrics, this track is meant to be a breath of fresh air." Known worldwide as the first spoken word artist to win America's Got Talent, Leake continues to expand his artistry beyond the stage that first introduced him to millions. With "I've Got," he steps into a hybrid musical space where storytelling, hip-hop rhythm, and gospel-rooted soul converge, bringing his work into a new landscape while remaining grounded in the narrative voice that defines his work. Read the full article

Loud Media has launched a new station in Knoxville, introducing the Greg Beharrell-centered GREG FM format to East Tennessee on 105.9 WGAP. The station, branded as 105.9 GREG FM, features the format developed by YEA Media Group and built around the humor, storytelling, observations and distinctive style of syndicated personality Greg Beharrell. According to Loud Media, the format combines music, entertainment, comedy and unexpected content to create a unique 24-hour listening experience designed to stand apart from traditional radio offerings. "Radio works best when it surprises people," said Aaron Ishmael, owner of Loud Media. "Greg has built a tremendous following by doing exactly that. His ability to connect with listeners through humor, storytelling, and a genuinely unique perspective makes him a perfect fit for our vision. When we learned about the GREG FM format from YEA Media Group, we knew Knoxville deserved to hear it." Beharrell, known for his unconventional humor, welcomed the launch in his trademark style. "Launching GREG FM in Knoxville is more than I could have asked for," Beharrell said. "I've long been in awe of Knoxville, specifically, the rarity of the letter x being followed by the letter v which, like Greg FM, seems as though it shouldn't work, yet, somehow..." The station is now airing throughout the Knoxville market on WGAP and is also available online and through connected listening platforms. Read the full article

Bailey Zimmerman is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in New Mexico after authorities accused the 26-year-old performer of causing extensive damage to a hotel room at Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, with losses estimated at more than $16,000. A warrant for his arrest was issued June 18 following the May 27 incident, which occurred the same day he canceled a scheduled concert on his “Different Night Same Rodeo” tour. According to court documents cited by multiple outlets, Zimmerman has been charged with felony criminal damage to property involving more than $1,000 and a misdemeanor count of obtaining services fraudulently. Investigators allege the singer appeared intoxicated and behaved erratically during soundcheck, where security personnel reported he was stumbling, falling and throwing equipment. After the performance was called off, resort officials allegedly removed him from the property because of his conduct. Authorities said Zimmerman declined transportation arranged by the resort and police were eventually called to escort him away. Housekeeping staff later entered the room and discovered extensive damage, including broken furniture and electronics, holes in walls and missing items, according to an affidavit obtained by entertainment outlets. Read the full article

"The new Eileen Carey "This Is Where" (Rolley Cstr) is a solid chart-breaker for Sound Machine” Tom Barstow/Moyock, SC Read the full article

Tim McGraw returns to the music scene with the arrival of two tracks, marking his first standalone material in more than a year. The simultaneous release of “Pawn Shop Guitar” and “Song for America” comes after the artist stepped away from his active schedule to address several physical ailments. According to a statement from the singer, a period spent recovering from notable back and knee problems provided an unexpected window for writing and reflection. McGraw noted that the downtime allowed him to focus on personal narratives, stating, “I was able to really dig into some personal stories in those songs for the first time.” The autobiographical track “Pawn Shop Guitar,” which was written alongside Tom Douglas, chronicles McGraw’s early professional struggles and the sacrifices required during his initial pursuit of a musical career in Nashville. The title also serves as the namesake for his upcoming 33-date summer concert tour across North America, which is scheduled to begin in July. The companion piece, “Song for America,” functions as a patriotic mid-tempo tribute ahead of the upcoming U.S. semiquincentennial. The composition, co-penned by Douglas and JT Harding, utilizes wide-ranging geographic imagery to depict the complexities of domestic life. These songs arrived just ahead of the launch of McGraw’s North American PAWN SHOP GUITAR TOUR. Read the full article

The mainstream Top40 radio landscape continues to be a high-stakes battleground for chart position, characterized by an intense tug-of-war between major label powerhouses and a rapidly rising class of independent breakouts. As the summer season approaches, programmers are locking in their playlists, balancing massive multi-format collaborations with fresh indie singles that are capturing significant listener engagement. Major Labels Maintain Dominant Chart Momentum Major label heavyweights are securing prime real estate on the dial, fueled by high-velocity releases from format staples. Leading the charge is Gracie Abrams with her tracking single “Hit The Wall” (Interscope/ICLG), moving alongside Justin Bieber’s highly buzzed-about record “SPEED DEMON” (Def Jam/Republic). Concurrently, Sabrina Carpenter is landing a definitive listener favorite with her latest track, “House Tour” (Island/Republic). Backed by aggressive label infrastructure and undeniable commercial momentum, all three artists are primed for significant chart climbs in the coming weeks. A powerful wave of cross-format contenders is also moving up the ranks. Shakira & Burna Boy are finding massive multi-format appeal and cross-cultural traction with their vibrant collaboration, “Dai Dai” (Sony Music Latin). Read the full article

iHeartMedia Atlanta has announced two leadership additions at Country WUBL (94.9 The Bull), appointing Ashley Layfield as Program Director and Corey Calhoun as afternoon host. "These are two of the most exciting additions we've made to the Bull in recent years," said Jill Strada, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia. "Corey's experience across multiple markets, combined with his passion for Country music and audience engagement, makes him a perfect fit for afternoons on 94.9 The Bull, while Ashley is one of the most respected programming leaders in our industry." Layfield joins the Atlanta cluster from iHeartMedia Tampa, where she currently serves as Director of Programming and Brand Strategy for US103.5. She brings nearly 20 years of radio experience, including a successful tenure at K92.3 Orlando, which earned the Academy of Country Music's Large Market Station of the Year honor during her time there. Layfield has also been active with industry organizations, including the Alliance for Women in Media. "Atlanta is one of the most dynamic and influential country radio markets in the nation, and I'm honored to join the incredible team at 94.9 The Bull," Layfield said. "The station has a strong legacy with deep community roots, and I'm excited to build on that foundation." Calhoun arrives from iHeartMedia Washington, DC, where he serves as co-host of mornings on WMZQ. Read the full article

iHeartMedia Atlanta has announced two leadership additions at Country WUBL (94.9 The Bull), appointing Ashley Layfield as Program Director and Corey Calhoun as afternoon host. "These are two of the most exciting additions we've made to the Bull in recent years," said Jill Strada, Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia. "Corey's experience across multiple markets, combined with his passion for Country music and audience engagement, makes him a perfect fit for afternoons on 94.9 The Bull, while Ashley is one of the most respected programming leaders in our industry." Layfield joins the Atlanta cluster from iHeartMedia Tampa, where she currently serves as Director of Programming and Brand Strategy for US103.5. She brings nearly 20 years of radio experience, including a successful tenure at K92.3 Orlando, which earned the Academy of Country Music's Large Market Station of the Year honor during her time there. Layfield has also been active with industry organizations, including the Alliance for Women in Media. "Atlanta is one of the most dynamic and influential country radio markets in the nation, and I'm honored to join the incredible team at 94.9 The Bull," Layfield said. "The station has a strong legacy with deep community roots, and I'm excited to build on that foundation." Calhoun arrives from iHeartMedia Washington, DC, where he serves as co-host of mornings on WMZQ. Read the full article

Maren Morris is gearing up for another stretch on the road, unveiling “The dreamGIRL Tour,” a special summer 2026 run that follows the conclusion of her ongoing Dreamsicle Tour this spring. Launching shortly after she wraps up her current tour in Texas this May, Morris will kick off the new dates on June 13 in Calgary. The 12-show run, featuring support from Scout Willis, will take her across the western part of North America with stops including Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and more before wrapping up in Bonner, Montana on July 25. Timed alongside the 10-year milestone of her breakout debut Hero, Morris has teased a “uniquely curated setlist” that blends standout tracks from across her four albums, paired with a more “intimate live experience” than fans have seen from her in the past. One of the standout dates includes a July 19 performance at Red Rocks in Colorado, where she’ll be joined by The Highwomen and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Full info can be found on Morris’ official website. General tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster. Read the full article

Dark industrial band, CHOKE CHAIN has unleashed their new & highly-anticipated release, Decomposition. The EP is the aural equivalent of existential dread. CHOKE CHAIN is no stranger to tackling such topics, but the band takes it to another level on Decomposition. Completely raw and uncompromising, the songs on Decomposition take the listener to a very dark place, and through the entire runtime of the record, there isn’t a single moment of relief. The human race continuously proves itself to be largely incapable of any kindness or empathy, instead being completely obsessed with killing and destroying. That’s the central focus of Decomposition. Says CHOKE CHAIN founder, Mark Trueman: “The EP was mostly written during a time where I was very close to giving up. Everything felt completely hopeless, and still does to some degree. I really tried to put all of that feeling into these songs. I also tried to confront some of my personal trauma on this record, which is something I’ve pretty explicitly tried not to do through my music in the past. Decomposition will be available on CD, vinyl LP and on all major digital outlets worldwide on July 10th! Check out the video for “Decomposition” HERE Read the full article

Clint Black and country trio Midland will join forces for a limited co-headlining tour this fall, unveiling eight concert dates across the eastern and central United States. The brief concert run is scheduled to kick off on October 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina. From there, the artists will travel through the Midwest and South, including a special appearance on October 9 at a charity concert in Indianapolis benefiting the Indy Public Safety Foundation. The tour will also visit venues in Missouri, Kentucky, Alabama, and Virginia before concluding on October 24 in Glen Allen, Virginia. The artists recently collaborated on the song “Up In Texas,” which appears on Midland’s forthcoming album Stages, due June 12. Midland members Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy contributed to the writing of the track, which pays tribute to notable people, places and cultural touchstones associated with Texas. For ticket information head HERE. Read the full article

Indie-pop artist Kelsey Olivia returns with her latest single, “I’ll Come Over,” a shimmery late-night summer anthem that captures the emotional uncertainty of modern situationships. Blending an energetic vocal delivery and vulnerable lyricism, this glittery pop confessional is wrapped around a glossy production that reveals the repetitive cycle when two people can’t communicate once honesty begins to slip. “I’ll Come Over” is now available for streaming on all major music platforms. “I’ll Come Over” is a bouncy indie-pop single that captures the never-ending cycle of the present dating scene, where the intoxicating melody and the surreptitious feelings blur into a hazy, after-dark proclamations. Centered on the lingering disconnect between two people who struggle to be truthful while sober, Kelsey Olivia transforms emotional ambiguity into a danceable, euphoric pop single. At the heart of the song is the striking lyric, “Words don’t work when we’re sober,” in which Olivia recalls blurred memories, missed phone calls made impulsively, and unresolved feelings that keep pushing her back into the same familiar pattern. Behind its exhilarating pop atmosphere, “I’ll Come Over” unfolds like a soundtrack for nighttime drives, where the warm city lights and liquor-soaked conversations only seem to happen after the clock strikes midnight. Read the full article

Indie-pop artist Kelsey Olivia returns with her latest single, “I’ll Come Over,” a shimmery late-night summer anthem that captures the emotional uncertainty of modern situationships. Blending an energetic vocal delivery and vulnerable lyricism, this glittery pop confessional is wrapped around a glossy production that reveals the repetitive cycle when two people can’t communicate once honesty begins to slip. “I’ll Come Over” is now available for streaming on all major music platforms. “I’ll Come Over” is a bouncy indie-pop single that captures the never-ending cycle of the present dating scene, where the intoxicating melody and the surreptitious feelings blur into a hazy, after-dark proclamations. Centered on the lingering disconnect between two people who struggle to be truthful while sober, Kelsey Olivia transforms emotional ambiguity into a danceable, euphoric pop single. At the heart of the song is the striking lyric, “Words don’t work when we’re sober,” in which Olivia recalls blurred memories, missed phone calls made impulsively, and unresolved feelings that keep pushing her back into the same familiar pattern. Behind its exhilarating pop atmosphere, “I’ll Come Over” unfolds like a soundtrack for nighttime drives, where the warm city lights and liquor-soaked conversations only seem to happen after the clock strikes midnight. Read the full article

Independent artists and labels are no longer just a footnote in the music industry-they are actively driving the conversation on radio. An increasing number of creators are choosing to step away from traditional major-label systems, trading rigid corporate structures for absolute creative freedom and direct ownership of their careers. Backed by massive advancements in digital distribution and localized promotion, today’s independent musicians possess unprecedented leverage to reach fans, secure meaningful airplay, and build thriving, long-term careers strictly on their own terms. Of course, this independent revolution wouldn’t be possible without the fans. Listeners hold incredible power in elevating indie talent; every stream, digital download, social media share, and concert ticket purchase serves as a vital building block. Moreover, consistent listener requests to local and major-market radio stations are forcing programming directors to take notice, opening doors for deserving independent artists to break through the noise and capture national airplay. Breaking Through the Charts The proof is in the data. Independent acts are proving they can go toe-to-toe with major-label powerhouse releases on today's charts. Read the full article

"Justin Bieber is moving with "Speed Demon" (Def Jam) on Today`s Hottest Hits" Bill Hennes/Pompano Beach, FL Read the full article

New York City’s newest alt-pop It Girl, Kiki Kramer, returns with her latest single, “prom king.” The sultry, atmospheric pop song captures the fading charisma of an older man still clinging to his golden days while an endless cycle of chasing validation and fleeting connections continues to consume him. Through her observant lens, Kramer exposes the gradual unraveling of a man refusing to let go of the intoxicating allure that at one point made him irresistible. “prom king” is now available to stream worldwide on all major music platforms. A video for the song can be seen on YouTube. Releasing alongside the single is the steamy music video, directed by legendary director Marc Klasfeld (Britney Spears, Charli XCX, Katy Perry). The “prom king” video features Kiki Kramer and actor Jake Manley (Netflix’s The Order, Lionsgate’s Do Not Enter) returning from prom in a limo as they drive back to a hotel. Shot at the famed Safari Inn in Burbank, CA, the video pays subtle homage to Clarence and Alabama from the 1993 cult classic, True Romance, also filmed at this location. The visual chronicles the night of two lovers who can’t keep their hands off each other as they move from limo to pool to hotel room. “‘prom king’ is a slow, haunting ballad about an older man, once a young, beautiful playboy, who refuses to grow up, still spending his nights at clubs seducing women much younger than him,” explains Kiki Kramer. Read the full article