49 Winchester

This Virginia band offer a unique and fresh alt-country – rock-n-roll meets Appalachian folk sound.

Listen to: Russell County Line

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo, The Barrelhouse at Town Square, The Saloon

Adam Doleac

Listen to: Coulda Loved You Longer

See him at: The Barrelhouse at Town Square, The Saloon, Big Entrance

Ashley Cooke

Do not mistake Cooke for another TikTok sensation, she is much more than that, offering incredibly fresh songwriting, an easy and understated vocal and a modern country sound.

Listen to: Never Til Now

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo

Catie Offerman

Listen to: Don’t Do It In Texas

See her at: The Saloon, Big Entrance, The Wayside

Corey Kent

Listen to: Wild as Her

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo, The Barrelhouse at Town Square

Drake Milligan

Listen to: Sounds Like Something I’d Do

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo, The Saloon

Kameron Marlowe

Listen to: Giving You Up

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo

Mackenzie Porter

Porter burst onto the scene with her duet with Dustin Lynch, but Porter is a phenomenal solo artist, offering slick pop-country beats and an effortless vocal.

Listen to: These Days

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo

Madeline Edwards

California-born and Texas-raised artist, Madeline Edwards released her astonishing debut album – Crashlanded – last year, a sensational introduction to an interesting and unique artist. Now, we can not wait to see how those songs translate in her live set.

Listen to: Mama, Dolly, Jesus

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo, The Saloon

Nate Smith

Listen to: Whiskey on You

See them at: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo, The Barrelhouse at Town Square, The Saloon

Smithfield

Smithfield are an underappreciated gem in the country scene, offering tight harmonies and an easy chemistry that comes through in their live recordings. Now, they’re making the trip to the UK to deliver those harmonies in person.

Listen to: Hope You’re Happy

See them at: Big Entrance, The Wayside, Icon Stage

Tigirlily Gold

Known for their faultless, tight harmonies, Tigirlily offer a fresh voice in country with their fun and upbeat tracks.

Listen to: Somebody Does

See her at: The Saloon, Icon Stage

The post The Ultimate Guide to C2C 2023: The Debut Artists appeared first on off the record.

Big Loud Records’ star Mackenzie Porter has released her brand new track ‘Coming Soon To A Bar Near You,’ written by Hillary Lindsey, Amy Wadge, and Emily Weisband, the Joey-Moi produced track tells the lonely tale of broken hearts and how each one tries to fill that empty void at “a bar near you.” Of the track Porter shares, “’Coming Soon To A Bar Near You’ details where all the broken hearts go to try to heal and all of the different ways we try to forget how we got there. It’s about heading to a bar after a breakup to fill that hole in your chest. It never usually works but we all still do it anyways.” It’s a sumptuous and rich track about heartbreak, delivered in Porter’s signature honeyed tone.

This song drop follows an action-packed November for Porter. On Monday (11/29), the Canada native performed with Dustin Lynch their smash hit “Thinking ‘Bout You” at the CCMA Awards where she was nominated in FOUR categories. Making its Canadian TV debut, the single is currently Top 5 at U.S. Country radio and trending to top the charts before the end of the year.

KEEP UP WITH MACKENZIE PORTER: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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Big Loud Records’ MacKenzie Porter is having one hell of a week. The rising star has made her late-night television debut alongside Dustin Lynch performing their smash hit ‘Thinking ‘Bout You’ on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!  (9 Nov) at 11:35 p.m./10:35 p.m. CT. This milestone comes as the two are quickly approaching Top 5 at Country radio.

Adding another checkmark on her bucket list, Porter will make her Grand Ole Opry debut today. Keeping her set-list a surprise until the night of, fans will need to tune in to hear the songs Porter will play as she steps into the legendary circle for the first time.

With more new music on the horizon, Porter previously released ‘Unlonely Me,’ plus one of her favourite tracks she’s written to date, ‘Heaven Heard Me’ (writers: Porter, Steven Lee Olsen, David Cohen). The heart-warmer was produced by Joey Moi and inspired by her husband, Jake Etheridge. The newlyweds were married during the pandemic.

Also this month, Porter and Lynch are expected to make the first Canadian broadcast performance of their power duet at the 2021 CCMA Awards live from Budweiser Gardens in London, ON, on 29 November. Adding to the night, Porter will vie for FOUR awards: Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, PRS Guitars Video of the Year (‘Drinkin’ Songs’) and Fans’ Choice.

Keep Up with Mackenzie Porter: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

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Follow Mackenzie Porter: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

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Rising country artist MacKenzie Porter has partnered with People.com today to premiere her brand-new music video for her song “Unlonely Me.” Demonstrating quarantine-nostalgia in a light-hearted way, Porter shot the video totally on film. Penned by Porter herself, along with Nick Bailey and Craig Wiseman, the song is a light and sunny ode to wanting to rekindle a former flame.

“I wrote ‘Unlonely Me’ at the very beginning of quarantine and really wanted this video to reflect what life was like for all of us during that time… in a sort of comical way,” Porter tells People. “Justin Clough has directed all of my recent music videos and I absolutely love working with him.  We always sit down to brainstorm ideas together and this one came to us super fast. It was shot on film for that cozy grainy vintage texture. I hope y’all enjoy watching as much as we enjoyed filming!”

The CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2021 classmate is currently on the BUY DIRT TOUR with Jordan Davis while her single “Thinking ‘Bout You” with Dustin Lynch is about to break Top 10 at  Country radio.

This video comes on the heels of the release of her collaboration with rising Pop artist Virginia to Vegas. Porter, Canada’s #1 most played female voice in Country music teamed up with Baker (Virginia to Vegas), who is the second most played Canadian artist at radio (behind the Weeknd). The track was produced by Mike Wise (Ellie Goulding, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Jamie Blunt) and tells the story of running into an ex at a party and seeing them happy with someone else, driven with a quintessential Pop beat but feels melancholy at its core.

Follow Mackenzie Porter: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE

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Toronto’s Virginia To Vegas (Derik Baker) has crafted the perfect soundtrack for the transition from summer to fall. Aptly titled “this sucks,” Baker’s newest single is available everywhere now, featuring bright new voice MacKenzie Porter and is a phenomenally exciting track, infusing and mixing genres with style. Following Baker’s remarkable success in 2020 — he was the second most played Canadian artist at radio (behind the Weeknd) with over 335 Million streams, released two EPs and became a 4X PLATINUM-selling artist — “this sucks” was written by the JUNO-nominated, Toronto-native as a duet and when Baker came across Porter while listening to the radio in his car, the idea for this collaboration came together. “I remember driving from my house to the grocery store and hearing MacKenzie’s song on the radio,” said Baker. “At that moment I just knew it would be perfect to have her join me as a featured artist on the track.”

Telling the story of running into an ex at a party and seeing them happy with someone else, “this sucks” is driven with a quintessential pop beat but feels melancholy at its core. “‘this sucks’ is a song about what seeing an ex with someone else does to you,” explained Baker. “You’re happy for them because you once loved them, but the only words you can find to explain how you’re feeling are ‘Wow, this really sucks right now.’”

Produced by Mike Wise (Ellie Goulding, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Jamie Blunt) the single is anticipated to continue Baker’s incredible career to date. Marking Baker’s fifth single in just over a year, “this sucks” is available as of today on all streaming platforms and gave Porter and Baker the opportunity to meet for the first time earlier this summer at the track’s official video shoot. Filmed in Toronto, the 70s-themed, dating show parody perfectly captures the heartache of being left behind.

The post SINGLE RELEASE: this sucks – Virginia to Vegas appeared first on off the record.

Big Loud Records’ Country riser MacKenzie Porter has released track one in a series of new songs to come with ‘Unlonely Me.’ Penned by Porter herself, along with Nick Bailey and Craig Wiseman, the song is a light and sunny ode to wanting to rekindle a former flame. The infectious Country track invites kittenish nostalgia and continues a string of sunny, joyful releases.

The post SINGLE REVIEW: Unlonely Me – Mackenzie Porter appeared first on off the record.

While his current single ‘Momma’s House’ continues to soar in country radio’s top 10, Dustin Lynch has released a brand-new track ‘Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter)’ available now at all streaming platforms and digital retailers.

Feeling the magnetic pull of the past, Lynch is giving second life to a track first shared on his acclaimed TULLAHOMA album. Now teaming with a new-Country riser for the passionate power duet, heart-pounding hooks and memory-soaked vocals stir up nostalgic romance, as exes begin to reconnect: “Don’t be sorry for calling me up right outta the blue / I was just thinking ’bout you.”

“This is one of my favorite songs from TULLAHOMA, and I’m so excited we get to shine a light on it in a new way with MacKenzie. We chose her voice for this version when my team and I reached out to our Country music community for submissions from up-and-coming female artists. Not wanting to be swayed by any other factors, we got a folder of numbered MP3s and just listened,” shares Lynch. “It all pointed to MacKenzie. I fell in love with her tone – it was effortless and honest. Her voice is something that can’t be taught, it’s clear she was born with that talent. She was brilliant at bringing her uniqueness to this song, but also keeping it familiar for fans of the original.”

Dialing up Porter to star in his “Thinking ‘Bout You” music video, the duet partners went live on Lynch’s YouTube and Instagram this morning (3/19) to chat with fans and count down to the anticipated YouTube premiere. Assuming the roles of a former couple reminiscing over the phone, the moody clip is all-too-relatable as snapshots of a long-gone relationship flash into view. Directed by Justin Nolan Key, the intimate conversation by-way-of the Lynch, Andy Albert, Hunter Phelps, and Will Weatherly-penned lyrics ring straight to the heart of a broken connection.

Follow Dustin Lynch: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Over the weekend, CMT shared their next class of Next Women of Country 2021 in a three-hour special, that saw CMT alumnae including Lindsay Ell, Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce welcome the talented and diverse class of women. Over the next year, the new class will receive support for their music and videos across CMT and CMT associated channels. ‘We’re thrilled to welcome the newest class of CMT’s Next Women of Country. These artists represent the best of fresh new talent and the diversity of styles that country music has to offer,’ says Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music & Talent, CMT. A new introduction this year will be that the women will be featured in music video rotation on the newly permanent ‘CMT Equal Play’ channel on Pluto TV, along with access to independent media training, photography consultations and artist advocacy opportunities designed to assist them in supporting charitable causes and social issues.

Watch the full announcement here.

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Hi Mackenzie – what an exciting day for you, I hope you’re celebrating!

It really is, we’ve been up since like 6am with the band, it’s just been a really fun time to celebrate. 

It’s probably not exactly how you thought this project would be released but it’s nice to finally get it out there. 

Definitely not how I pictured it all going down at the top of the year, but hey who’s not in the same position. 

‘The One’ is such a gorgeous song and it’s so cleverly written and it’s definitely my favourite of the songs that you’ve released. Can you talk about the evolution of that song and the writing room that day? 

Yeah, I wrote this a few years ago honestly, it’s always just been a song that stuck and I keep coming back to – I’ve always loved this song. It was just a day when no one necessarily came into the writing room with a really strong idea or anything like that, it was something that someone said in the room and I honestly can’t remember if it was me or one of the other writers or how it came to be. Once we landed on that hook, ‘The One before The One,’ we knew we wanted to write it and it just flowed out. 

There’s a thing with a lot of songs on your project that they’re very clever. You’ll read the title and think it’s going to be about one thing and then it’s about something else – like ‘The One’ and ‘Seeing Other People’ – it must be fun to play with people a little bit?

That’s my favourite thing, to see a title and think you know what it’s about and then the hook is something totally different, it’s a fun way to write too. ‘Hey, this is what everybody else would write, so how would we write this different?’ 

I love that approach. It’s been a few years since you moved to Nashville, how has that move changed your songwriting and your musical sound? 

Oh I think only for the better, Nashville is so good at what they do and it has all the strongest country writers in the world, the strongest writers. It’s such a lyric town, everything is based on a good lyric. I feel like I’ve been put in so many rooms where I’m definitely the worst writer in the room and they make things better every day. Then there are days where I feel like I carry the room a little bit more too. You grow every time you write a song and you get better every time. 

You also hooked up with Joey Moi who has probably brought out your sound a little more. How did you get connected with him and how did that partnership come about? 

He has definitely created the sound, he’s such a massive part of it. I met him through another artist – Dallas Smith – when he was in town recording with him, Dallas was like ‘hey, come hang out with me and Joey.’ Dallas is the kind of artist that mentors younger artists, he did that with me and really hooked me up with people in this industry and he’s just been so gracious toward me – that’s how I got to know Joey. 

I love the idea of artists supporting artists, I feel like that’s such a big part of the Nashville scene and in comparison to other places it feels like a community, which is beautiful to see.

Yeah definitely, there’s definitely competition still but 99% of people are just super supportive.

Your sound in particular bridges so many genres and there is something for everybody, almost like you’re a gateway for some people who don’t think they like the genre. 

 I’ve had so many of my friends even say that they don’t like country music but that they like my music, you can call it what you want as long as you dig it. It’s so funny, I don’t know what genres are anymore, I guess country is a little more lyric-heavy but things cross over all the time. There are so many artists at the moment crossing all genres and collaborating with different genres, collaborating with rappers or hip hop artists. Good music is good music to me. 

Your big smash hit was ‘These Days,’ which has opened so many doors for you, so how did the remix come about?

So my country version was out and it went to the top of the charts, pop stations in Canada just started playing the country version of it. After several stations started playing that version, my team was just like ‘hey this is happening naturally, what do you think about doing a remix?’ At first, I was honestly tentative about the idea, but asked to hear the remix and see how it sounded, we got a version and I loved it and thought ‘hey, let’s just go for it, we don’t have anything to lose.’ Never did I think it was going to be so successful on pop as well. 

Final Few

What album reminds you of your childhood? 

Seeing as we’re coming up to Christmas, Mariah Carey ‘All I Want For Christmas,’ it sets me up into that nostalgic feel. That record, though it’s a Christmas record, it takes me back to my hometown. 

What record would you put on for a road trip? 

Hmm, maybe ‘Golden Hour’ by Kacey Musgraves. 

What record would you put on for a cathartic cry? 

Probably a Celine Dion record to get in my feels. 

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