- Makenzie Phipps – O Holy Night. I’d been waiting for this one to be released. I saw the video of her singing this song on Facebook Reels. It is one of the best versions I have heard of a very hard song to sing. Wait until you hear the notes near the end!
2. Niko Moon – Night’s Still Young. This is what you would expect from a fun, good-time song. Niko Moon does these songs very well. This kind of song would be perfect for a summer (or fall) party playlist.
3. Jessica Lynn – Run Run Rudolph. This is a live version of a song that has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs. This song, written by rocker Chuck Berry, is uptempo and a ton of fun.
4, Talbott Brothers – Without Me. I love listening to these guys sing. Their vocal tone is so unique, gritty, and awesome. This is a reflective, emotional song.
5. Tyler Booth – Colder Beer. I met Tyler Booth on a music cruise and also saw him at a concert. I love listening to this man sing. He’s a great songwriter too. This is a super fun song co-written with Chris DuBois and Phil O’Donnell. I could hear people singing this one in a bar at the top of their lungs.
6. Kacey Tyndall – Kacey is another great singer and I am so glad she released this song because it’s another one of my Christmas favorites. While you are checking out this song, check out some of her other songs if you aren’t familiar with her.
7. Joe Hermes – American Muscle. This song blends a hard-hitting country rock sound with great storytelling.
8. Lilly Moss – Heartbreak Summer. I featured a track from Lilly’s “Meet Me On Broadway” album last week, but I wanted to recognize this standout track as well. Look for a feature on Lilly coming soon to the Country Music Views website.
9. Eli Locke – In A Honkytonk. I love this guy’s voice and this song is a ton of fun. It’s the perfect answer for the question, “Why do you love going to bars?” Look for a feature story on Eli Locke in Country Music Views in the coming weeks.
10. Rascal Flatts – Mary Did You Know? Rascal Flatts released a deluxe version of their 2016 Christmas album this week. It has some great songs, like this one. I’ve always loved this Christmas song.
11. Billie Jo Jones – I’ll Be Home For Christmas. This is a timeless Christmas song with an amazing vocal performance from Billie Jo Jones. I love her version of this one.
12. Colby! – Break Me Twice. Colby! has such an amazing story of struggling with severe dyslexia as a child to gaining popularity as a songwriter and artist. The music is incredible on its own the way she can tell a story in a way that forces the listener to feel what she’s feeling.
13. Kashus Culpepper – Pour Me Out. This man is so refreshing to country music. There’s no one who sounds like him and I could listen to his vocal performance for hours on end. It has blends such a soulful feel with contemporary country. This song is so incredibly well-written. It’s definitely a common topic, but he tells the story in a way that feels brand new.
14. Julia Cole – Away In A Manger. This is a Christmas song I’ve loved since I was a kid. It’s a song that frequently appears on Christmas albums. Julia Cole does a fantastic job on this song. I love her voice and her vocal range. She released a Christmas EP this week. If you love great Christmas music, give the entire EP a listen.
15. Chris Janson (with Alabama) – Christmas In Dixie. This is another great Christmas song that was released this week. I remember hearing Alabama’s version years ago, and later a cover with Kenny Chesney. I am glad Chris Janson is bringing such a great song to a new generation.