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Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Lukas Nelson's New Album Is ‘A Love Letter To The Country That Raised Me'
Lukas Nelson performs onstage for day one of the 2024 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival at The ... More Park at Harlinsdale Farm on September 28, 2024 in Franklin, Tennessee. Lukas Nelson took his first steps on a tour bus. He grew up on highways shadowed by towering grain silos and roads that twisted through ragged hills. He's not sure there's an interstate in the U.S. that he hasn't seen. Sometimes people ask where he grew up. He's not sure how to answer. 'I grew up traveling on the roads since I was a baby,' said Nelson, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and the 36-year-old son of Willie Nelson. 'I feel like America really raised me." Nelson decided to write about his experience of being raised on the road for American Romance, a 12-song solo album that debuted last month via Sony Music Nashville. A departure from his longtime band Promise of the Real, American Romance comes billed as the solo debut for Nelson, a tenured musician who's worked with Neil Young, Lady Gaga and Lainey Wilson, among others. For the album, Nelson wanted to write 'a John Steinbeck-equse narrtive of my upbringing and travels,' he said. Listeners hear the result on a collection of rich, detailed songs that chronicle restless life lessons and open-hearted adventures. 'The diners and truck stops, Thanksgiving dinners away from home … I wanted it to feel like each song is a chapter in a great American novel. A love letter to the country that raised me," Nelson said. For American Romance, Nelson recorded at Sunset Sound Recording Studio in Hollywood alongside another second-generation song-maker – Shooter Jennings, a sought-after producer who was behind the board for standout releases from Brandi Carlile, Charley Crockett and others. Working with Jennings? It's comfortable, Nelson said. 'He brought out what I feel like what the best sonic quality you can get,' Nelson said. He continued, 'The ideas he had, in terms of how to present the music, and to bring out the best in me, performance-wise … I felt really grateful for his influence.' The album blends shades of undeniable country influence (on the fiddle-drenched number 'Outsmarted') with ambitious heartland rock ("Runnin' Out of Time") and time-tested folk storytelling (none more evident than the title track, 'American Romance'). He enlists guest features from troubadour Stephen Wilson Jr. – on the sobering cut 'Disappearing Light' – and Sierra Ferrell, who harmonizes on 'Friend In The End,' an endearing number where the two sing 'I guess I just found me a friend/ I think I can call you my friend in the end.' American Romance begins with a declaration from Nelson. In the chorus of the robust opening number 'Ain't Done,' he sings 'God ain't done with you" – five words that remind listeners of the highs and lows that come with living another day. Nelson co-wrote 'Ain't Done' with sought-after Nashville songwriter Aaron Raitiere. 'We fleshed that [song] out in an hour or less. It really wrote itself," Nelson said. He added, 'Sometimes, the good ones come quick and easy and you don't really overthink it too much.' And the album ends with 'You Were It,' a tender-to-the-touch country tune that Nelson said he wrote as an 11-year-old learning his way around a song. 'That song, when I wrote it, my dad heard it and Kris Kristofferson heard it,' Nelson. 'My dad loved it so much he recorded it. He put it on his album It Always Will Be. That really got me the confidence I needed to be a songwriter. That and Kris said, 'Are you going to be a songwriter?' I said, 'I don't know.' He said, 'well, you don't have a choice after that song.''
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Rising Country Star Apologizes After Embarrassing Onstage ‘Oopsie'
Ella Langleyhas been on the country music scene for a hot minute, and she's still learning a few things. First, make sure to get everyone's name correct. Langley released her debut single, "Perfect," in 2018. From there, the Alabama native relocated to Nashville to take her country music career to the next level. In a few short years, she signed with Sony Music Nashville, made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry, and released her first studio album, Hungover. So far, her highest charting hit is "You Look Like Love Me," and the sky's the limit on this young talent. However, with her career taking off, she let the excitement get the better of her. During a recent stop on Riley Green'sDamn Country Music Tour, Langley, who opened for Green, shouted out the night's other opening acts. She gave love to Wyatt McCubbin and Hudson Westbrook… …except, it wasn't Westrbook that performed. It was Vincent Mason. "I made an oopsie, and the problem is, the oopsie was so strange, because I have no idea why," said Langley in a TikTok apology. She recapped the night and how she first gave a shout-out to Wyatt McCubbin. "And I then I said 'Hudson Westbrook,' and then everyone was like, 'woo!' but kind of confused. And I was like, 'why are you confused?'" she said. "Because I knew it was Vincent Mason, but, for some reason, I said Hudson Westbrook." "So, public apology. Sorry. Sorry, Vincent. Hudson, shout out to you! And Vincent, sorry," she concluded. Thankfully, there were no hard feelings. Langley's video ends with her and Mason sharing a hug. "I'm not used to having openers perform for me at all. I'm used to being the first one," she explained. And Mason chimed in the comment section. "Literally, who is Vincent Mason?" he jokes. "No idea," added Langley. Even Hudson Westbrook got in on the fun. "I'll take the shout out any day," wrote the 20-year-old country singer. Related: Singer, 27, Reveals How a Heavy Metal Icon Taught Him To Be a 'Rock Star' Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Old Dominion's new album, 'Barbara,' won't lean on band's record-breaking laurels
When Old Dominion's eighth group of the year victory broke the tie for consecutive wins at the Academy of Country Music Awards last month, it changed the record books — but not their perspective. 'They're certainly wonderful honors that we get, but that's not in any way how we really measure our success or think. We can't let that kind of stuff creep in to the creative process because that's when we'll start to get off course,' said Matthew Ramsey, lead vocalist and guitarist. 'We try to protect each other from those outside influences a little bit and just make sure that we're … not chasing after some sort of reaction or award, or chasing after what we think the radio wants to play. We just have to make what we love.' Old Dominion has been celebrated for intertwining different musical styles while within country music. Along with Ramsey, the band includes Brad Tursi (guitar/banjo), Trevor Rosen (guitar/piano), Geoff Sprung (bass) and Whit Sellers (percussion). They have spent the last two years crafting 'Barbara,' out Aug. 22 via Columbia Nashville /Sony Music Nashville. The project follows 2023's ' Memory Lane' album and last year's ' Odies But Goodies ' compilation, which Ramsey says is even more eclectic than past works. 'We just write constantly. And we've had albums where we've kind of gone deeper into the well and picked out older songs,' explained the 47-year-old. 'This one, not so much the case.' The 13-track album is not named after a real woman but is an imagined composite of a person who embodies many of the group's various personality traits. It includes the released singles 'Me Most Nights' and 'Making Good Time,' along with the four-on-the-floor 'Talk Country' and the R&B-infused 'What Doesn't Kill a Memory.' Just as introspection is a fundamental element of country music, it's also the sweet spot on this album. 'Miss You Man' is dedicated to friend and writing collaborator Andrew Dorff, who died in 2016 during a vacation, while 'Goodnight Music City' reflects on the band's career. 'It has all the reverence about Nashville and a little bit of the jaded side to it, too. We've been through it in Nashville, as anyone goes through when they're trying to chase this crazy dream,' said Ramsey, who revealed the song is inspired by the children's book 'Goodnight Moon' by Margaret Wise Brown. 'It's such a meaningful song to us all … we've played it live one time at the Ryman Auditorium, and we were all crying by the end of it.' The band also looks within on 'Man or the Song,' as Ramsey questions, 'If I put my guitar down, would I disappear? / Move back to my hometown, would you still be here?' Ramsey says it's his favorite song. 'That's kind of what it feels like once you get to this level and you're surrounded by all these people that are helping you make your dreams come true,' he said. 'Who's around for the right reasons can certainly creep into the conversation. It can be a lonely profession … I hope you love me for me, and not for this crazy job I have.' Coinciding with the release of 'Barbara,' the band is prepping its 'How Good Is That' world tour which launches in September. Throughout the past decade, Old Dominion has earned a loyal fan base in a genre often criticized as rigid, with frequent debates about equal radio play, what determines pure country music and who should be allowed to participate. But while there's no denying the group is authentically country, the irony is not lost on them that they've been able to cut through the Nashville noise by not sticking to only traditional country sounds. 'Whenever we wrote a song and recorded it, we just wanted to make sure that we were not chasing anything other than the truest form of that song and what was going to deliver that message as clearly as we wanted it to be,' said Ramsey. 'Our fans now, I think, are coming to expect that from us; they're looking for the surprise that we're gonna throw in there, rather than the same old thing. … We don't take that for granted. We know that's a rare thing in the genre.' 'Barbara' will be released Aug. 22. 'Barbara' tracklist 1. 'Making Good Time' 2. 'Water My Flowers' 3. 'Me Most Nights' 4. 'Man or the Song' 5. 'Break Your Mama's Heart' 6. 'Miss You Man' 7. 'Talk Country' 8. 'Late Great Heartbreak' 9. 'Crying in a Beach Bar' 10. 'One of Us' 11. 'What Doesn't Kill a Memory' 12. 'Sip in the Right Direction' 13. 'Goodnight Music City' ___ Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Old Dominion's new album, 'Barbara,' won't lean on band's record-breaking laurels
NEW YORK — When Old Dominion's eighth group of the year victory broke the tie for consecutive wins at the Academy of Country Music Awards last month, it changed the record books — but not their perspective. 'They're certainly wonderful honors that we get, but that's not in any way how we really measure our success or think. We can't let that kind of stuff creep in to the creative process because that's when we'll start to get off course,' said Matthew Ramsey, lead vocalist and guitarist. 'We try to protect each other from those outside influences a little bit and just make sure that we're … not chasing after some sort of reaction or award, or chasing after what we think the radio wants to play. We just have to make what we love.' Old Dominion has been celebrated for intertwining different musical styles while within country music. Along with Ramsey, the band includes Brad Tursi , Trevor Rosen , Geoff Sprung and Whit Sellers . They have spent the last two years crafting 'Barbara,' out Aug. 22 via Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville. The project follows 2023's 'Memory Lane' album and last year's ' Odies But Goodies ' compilation, which Ramsey says is even more eclectic than past works. 'We just write constantly. And we've had albums where we've kind of gone deeper into the well and picked out older songs,' explained the 47-year-old. 'This one, not so much the case.' The 13-track album is not named after a real woman but is an imagined composite of a person who embodies many of the group's various personality traits. It includes the released singles 'Me Most Nights' and 'Making Good Time,' along with the four-on-the-floor 'Talk Country' and the R&B-infused 'What Doesn't Kill a Memory.' Just as introspection is a fundamental element of country music, it's also the sweet spot on this album. 'Miss You Man' is dedicated to friend and writing collaborator Andrew Dorff, who died in 2016 during a vacation, while 'Goodnight Music City' reflects on the band's career. 'It has all the reverence about Nashville and a little bit of the jaded side to it, too. We've been through it in Nashville, as anyone goes through when they're trying to chase this crazy dream,' said Ramsey, who revealed the song is inspired by the children's book 'Goodnight Moon' by Margaret Wise Brown. 'It's such a meaningful song to us all … we've played it live one time at the Ryman Auditorium, and we were all crying by the end of it.' The band also looks within on 'Man or the Song,' as Ramsey questions, 'If I put my guitar down, would I disappear? / Move back to my hometown, would you still be here?' Ramsey says it's his favorite song. 'That's kind of what it feels like once you get to this level and you're surrounded by all these people that are helping you make your dreams come true,' he said. 'Who's around for the right reasons can certainly creep into the conversation. It can be a lonely profession … I hope you love me for me, and not for this crazy job I have.' Coinciding with the release of 'Barbara,' the band is prepping its 'How Good Is That' world tour which launches in September. Throughout the past decade, Old Dominion has earned a loyal fan base in a genre often criticized as rigid, with frequent debates about equal radio play, what determines pure country music and who should be allowed to participate. But while there's no denying the group is authentically country, the irony is not lost on them that they've been able to cut through the Nashville noise by not sticking to only traditional country sounds. 'Whenever we wrote a song and recorded it, we just wanted to make sure that we were not chasing anything other than the truest form of that song and what was going to deliver that message as clearly as we wanted it to be,' said Ramsey. 'Our fans now, I think, are coming to expect that from us; they're looking for the surprise that we're gonna throw in there, rather than the same old thing. … We don't take that for granted. We know that's a rare thing in the genre.' 'Barbara' will be released Aug. 22. 1. 'Making Good Time' 2. 'Water My Flowers' 3. 'Me Most Nights' 4. 'Man or the Song' 5. 'Break Your Mama's Heart' 6. 'Miss You Man' 7. 'Talk Country' 8. 'Late Great Heartbreak' 9. 'Crying in a Beach Bar' 10. 'One of Us' 11. 'What Doesn't Kill a Memory' 12. 'Sip in the Right Direction' 13. 'Goodnight Music City' Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.
Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Old Dominion's new album, 'Barbara,' won't lean on band's record-breaking laurels
NEW YORK (AP) — When Old Dominion's eighth group of the year victory broke the tie for consecutive wins at the Academy of Country Music Awards last month, it changed the record books — but not their perspective. 'They're certainly wonderful honors that we get, but that's not in any way how we really measure our success or think. We can't let that kind of stuff creep in to the creative process because that's when we'll start to get off course,' said Matthew Ramsey, lead vocalist and guitarist. 'We try to protect each other from those outside influences a little bit and just make sure that we're … not chasing after some sort of reaction or award, or chasing after what we think the radio wants to play. We just have to make what we love.' Old Dominion has been celebrated for intertwining different musical styles while within country music. Along with Ramsey, the band includes Brad Tursi (guitar/banjo), Trevor Rosen (guitar/piano), Geoff Sprung (bass) and Whit Sellers (percussion). They have spent the last two years crafting 'Barbara,' out Aug. 22 via Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville. The project follows 2023's 'Memory Lane' album and last year's ' Odies But Goodies ' compilation, which Ramsey says is even more eclectic than past works. 'We just write constantly. And we've had albums where we've kind of gone deeper into the well and picked out older songs,' explained the 47-year-old. 'This one, not so much the case.' The 13-track album is not named after a real woman but is an imagined composite of a person who embodies many of the group's various personality traits. It includes the released singles 'Me Most Nights' and 'Making Good Time,' along with the four-on-the-floor 'Talk Country' and the R&B-infused 'What Doesn't Kill a Memory.' Just as introspection is a fundamental element of country music, it's also the sweet spot on this album. 'Miss You Man' is dedicated to friend and writing collaborator Andrew Dorff, who died in 2016 during a vacation, while 'Goodnight Music City' reflects on the band's career. 'It has all the reverence about Nashville and a little bit of the jaded side to it, too. We've been through it in Nashville, as anyone goes through when they're trying to chase this crazy dream,' said Ramsey, who revealed the song is inspired by the children's book 'Goodnight Moon' by Margaret Wise Brown. 'It's such a meaningful song to us all … we've played it live one time at the Ryman Auditorium, and we were all crying by the end of it.' The band also looks within on 'Man or the Song,' as Ramsey questions, 'If I put my guitar down, would I disappear? / Move back to my hometown, would you still be here?' Ramsey says it's his favorite song. 'That's kind of what it feels like once you get to this level and you're surrounded by all these people that are helping you make your dreams come true,' he said. 'Who's around for the right reasons can certainly creep into the conversation. It can be a lonely profession … I hope you love me for me, and not for this crazy job I have.' Coinciding with the release of 'Barbara,' the band is prepping its 'How Good Is That' world tour which launches in September. Throughout the past decade, Old Dominion has earned a loyal fan base in a genre often criticized as rigid, with frequent debates about equal radio play, what determines pure country music and who should be allowed to participate. But while there's no denying the group is authentically country, the irony is not lost on them that they've been able to cut through the Nashville noise by not sticking to only traditional country sounds. 'Whenever we wrote a song and recorded it, we just wanted to make sure that we were not chasing anything other than the truest form of that song and what was going to deliver that message as clearly as we wanted it to be,' said Ramsey. 'Our fans now, I think, are coming to expect that from us; they're looking for the surprise that we're gonna throw in there, rather than the same old thing. … We don't take that for granted. We know that's a rare thing in the genre.' 'Barbara' will be released Aug. 22. 'Barbara' tracklist 1. 'Making Good Time' 2. 'Water My Flowers' 3. 'Me Most Nights' 4. 'Man or the Song' 5. 'Break Your Mama's Heart' 6. 'Miss You Man' 7. 'Talk Country' 8. 'Late Great Heartbreak' 9. 'Crying in a Beach Bar' 10. 'One of Us' 11. 'What Doesn't Kill a Memory' 12. 'Sip in the Right Direction' 13. 'Goodnight Music City' ___ Follow Associated Press entertainment journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.
