Rick’s Picks Playlist – Sept. 8

I started this blog because I love music and I wanted to help give some exposure to some of the great artists that are making music today. I am proud to say that I have found another way to spotlight great music – starting a playlist on Spotify. I expect that I will update this playlist every week or two as new songs are released.

I want to give a short explanation of why I have included each song in this playlist.

1. Everything But You – Dallas Moore. I have been listening to Dallas Moore’s music and he just keeps getting better. This video for this song was premiered on Billboard recently. It can be found on Moore’s “Tryin’ To Be A Blessing” album, which will be released on Oct. 4. Moore played over 300 shows last year and he wrote this song about how his life on the road takes him away from his wife and young daughter. It’s a great song.

2. Wear It Out – Sadie Bass. Bass was selected to perform on Brantley Gilbert’s Kick It In The Ship Cruise in November. She recently came on my radar and I love her sound. “Wear It Out” is a great song. It walks about how things get better with age. There’s a lot of truth in the words of this song. I can’t wait to hear Bass perform live.

3. When They Lay Me Down – Lacy Wolfe. This is an emotional song from Texas artist Lacy Wolfe. The idea of our own mortality is not something most people deal with well. In fact, death is a fear for many, myself included. Wolfe wrote this song after her friend asked Wolfe for advice on how to tell her family she was terminally ill. This song is what Wolfe would say to her own family in the event of her death.

4. All Your’n – Tyler Childers. Tyler Childers seems to be music’s golden child lately. His success is well-deserved. He has a great voice and great songs. This one is a standout track from his “Country Squire” album.

5. I Need A Drink – Kaleb Lee. Kaleb Lee was selected to play on Brantley Gilbert’s Kick It In The Ship Cruise. This is a up-tempo drinking song. It is a fun song for summer time or any time. I looking forward to hearing this one performed live.

6. So About Last Night – Bobby McClendon. Bobby McClendon was selected to play on Brantley Gilbert’s Kick It In The Ship Cruise. This is an great song that is able to capture the feeling of having a date go really well and not be able to get the person out of your head. There’s not a lot of songs out there like this one and it is well-written. I am looking forward to seeing it performed live.

7. Fire’t Up – Brantley Gilbert. I have been a Brantley Gilbert fan for a long time. He knows his audience well and the kind of music they expect from him. He has released some amazing ballads over the years, but this song is sure to be a good fit in his high-energy concerts.

8. Truth Is – Maybe April. I did a story on Maybe April two or three months ago and they are very nice. It is a song about not being able to get over someone after a break-up. However, it’s written in a clever way so it’s not depressing. It also has a catchy beat that just might get stuck in your head.

9. homecoming queen? – Kelsea Ballerini. This is such a powerful song. It has very honest lyrics and it is refreshing to hear something like this come from a mainstream country artist. I think Ballerini is a role model and a lot of girls look up to her. This is a song that girls of all ages need to hear.

10. Same Kind Of Crazy As Me – Cody Jinks. This is the type of song that made me a Cody Jinks. His fans can count on him for songs that are meaningful and honest. This latest tune delivers.

11. Heaven Is A Honky Tonk – The Highwomen. There’s so much to love about the song – the music, the lyrics, the harmonies. This is a great song and I will be surprised if this doesn’t become a single. It reminds me on female country songs back when artists like Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton were the queens of the radio dial.

12. I Wish Grandpas Never Died – Riley Green. I have been impressed with Riley Green. “There Was A Girl” was a great song. This is the best song I have heard from him and this song has been stuck in my head. I find myself agreeing with every line of this one.

13. Sinning For Saturday Nights – Chris Ruediger. I had never heard of Ruediger before this song and I would certainly be interested in hearing more of his songs. I think this is a song that caters to blue collar fans in particular.

14. More Hearts Than Mine – Ingrid Angress. I first heard Andress on SiriusXM The Highway before CMA Music Fest. They played three of her songs and I loved all of them, but I especially loved this one. I saw her perform during CMA Music Fest and I was even more impressed. This isn’t just a break up song. It recognizes that the people we date often become part of them family (even before there is any discussion of marriage) and a breakup impacts more than the two people involved in the relationship.

15. 1995 – Judy Blank. Blank will be the first Dutch artist to play Americanafest this week. Sir Elton John has called this song one of his personal favorites. One listen and you will understand why.

16. Stuck – JoLivi. This is a well-written love song by another talented artist who will be performing this week at Americanafest. I like this one because it is well-written and it doesn’t feel the same as the other love songs out there. Love is a popular topic, but the writers of this song found a great way to express that emotion.

17. My Heart Is A Bar – Old Dominion. I think Old Dominion has a great sound. This is a standout track from their new album.

18. Faith – Aberdeen. I did a story on this duo recently. Aberdeen is made up of Jordan Anderson and Caleb Maitland. Last year, Maitland’s wife went through a battle with cancer and Anderson wrote this song on how she handled the fight. The duo is now back on the road and the song is their current single. I think it is an inspirational song and could help a lot of people going through hard times.

19. Restless Ways – Gethen Jenkins. I love Jenkins’ sound. This is one of may great songs from his “Western Gold” album.

20. Everybody Loves A Comeback – Keith Burns with Lisa Guerrero and Presley and Taylor. This is a song that Burns, a founding member of Trick Pony and Inside Edition correspondent wrote together. It’s a great song. A portion of digital sales of the song benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation and the IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc.) journalism scholarship fund.

21. Lullaby – Kalie Shorr. Shorr is known in Nashville for being a great songwriter. She is a founding member of the Song Suffragettes, a group who host weekly rounds of female songwriters in Nashville. She has gained recognition for songs like “Fight Like A Girl” in recent years. “Lullaby” has strong lyrics and it is another song that girls in particular need to hear.

22. Old Fashioned – Ned LeDoux. Ledoux is the son of legendary cowboy and country singer Chris Ledoux. He sounds a lot like his dad and this song is a nod to his roots.

23. Weatherman – Sam Williams. Talk about a music legacy. Williams is the son of Hank Williams, Jr. and the grandson of Hank Williams. He has chosen to do a re-make of “Weatherman,” which was a 1981 hit for his dad. Williams has a great voice and I love how he interacts with his fans. He embraces social media and has done Facebook Live sessions with his fans.

24. Ain’t No Sunshine – The Young Fables. This duo was featured on the Real Country, which aired on the USA Network. The have recorded “Ain’t No Sunshine,” which was originally recorded by Bill WIthers in 1971. It’s a timeless song and they do a good job of introducing it to a new generation.

25. Done – Chris Janson. Janson is known for his high-energy performances. He has recorded great ballads, but he is probably best known for his up-tempo songs. This is another great song for Janson. It shows that love songs don’t always have to be ballads.

26. Girls Of Summer – Pearl Clarkin. I have known Clarkin for a few years. She is just as sweet as she is talented. Girls Of Summer is a fun, summer song. She is another artist that works hard to interact with her fans and make sure they know how much she appreciates their support. There’s a good chance listening to this song will make you want to head for the nearest beach.

27. Twenty Years From Now – Kylie Rae Harris. Harris was tragically killed in a car accident earlier this month at age 30. She was a very talented artist from Texas. I thought this was a great song and I wanted to include it in this playlist as a tribute to her.

28. Even Though I’m Leaving – Luke Combs. I love listening to Combs sing and he has great songs. He is another artist who knows his audience and gives them what they want. This song has a great story.

29. When My Amy Prays – Vince Gill. This song can be found on Gill’s new “Okie” album. However, I heard this song long before the album was released because he played it at his fan club party last year. This is a great song that tells how his wife, Amy Grant, and her faith has influenced him. It’s a beautiful love song.

30. The House That Built Me – Tanya Tucker. Tucker recently released a new album. I really like her version of Miranda Lambert’s hit. She changes some words to make it fit her and I think it works coming from her.

31. Work In Progress – Allie Colleen. This is the debut single from a very talented artist. I had the opportunity to see her perform earlier this year and I am excited for her to release a full album. This is a great song and I think it will be the first of many to come.

32. Oklahoma – Josh Kerr featuring Heather Morgan. This is a great relationship song expresses sadness and disappointment that the relationship ended, but it doesn’t assign blame to his love interest.

33. Cheatin’ Songs – Midland. Midland is a mainstream country group, but they don’t have the same type of sound as other country groups. They are from Texas and their sound is closer the Texas/Red Dirt country than what it typically produced in Nashville. I like their sound and I like their songs.

34. 72s – Brinn Black. I have known Black for several years and I know she is a very talented songwriter and singer. This is a special song. She finds a way to use an analogy to express a common emotion.

35. One Night Standards – Ashley McBryde. McBryde is one of my favorite female singers. She has a great ability to tell a story. I’ve often found myself listening to every word, even the ones I know by heart. I loved her “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” album and I love her new single as well. I am looking forward to hearing her new album.