From a classic country tribute to family ties to a rollicking celebration of friendship, here's Wide Open Country's weekly roundup of the best newly released country and Americana songs.
"Jesus and Jack Daniels," Justin Moore
Justin Moore acknowledges the roots of his raising on "Jesus and Jack Daniels," the latest release from his forthcoming album Late Nights and Longnecks. The Arkansas native was shaped by his dad's hell-raising and his mom's strong faith, and he celebrates both on the tune, which recalls Moore's traditional country roots.
"Houston Solution," Ronnie Milsap and George Strait
Ronnie Milsap's album The Duets pairs the singer with rising stars and fellow country legends. And while Milsap has a string of timeless songs to choose from, there could be no better track to tackle with George Strait than the 1989 tune "Houston Solution," which finds the Texas country king and the pride of North Carolina hiding from their problems down in H-Town. Who wouldn't want to sit next to those two at a Houston dive bar?
"Times Like These," Hayes Carll
With "Times Like These," Hayes Carll delivers a song of sadness and desperation...that you can dance to. "I hope and I pray at the end of the day I can somehow get my troubles to ease/ But I gotta say, it's not lookin' good — not in times like these," Carll sings over a stomping Texas dancehall beat.
"Big Boss Mama," Tami Neilson
Powerhouse vocalist Tami Neilson salutes her fellow badass women on the fiery rockabilly number "Big Boss Mama." "Rules, I make 'em and I break 'em/ Fools, my mama didn't raise 'em," Neilson sings. "I'm a big boss mama." Turn it up loud and bow down.
"Family Tree," Caylee Hammack
Featuring snapshots of a close-knit and loving family, from a grandma selling the Maytag to post an uncle's bail to cousins getting high before the reunion potluck, Caylee Hammack's "Family Tree" is an anthem for you and all your dysfunctional kinfolk.
"I Love the Lie," Kree Harrison
If you've ever turned to denial in a dead-end relationship, you're bound to relate to Kree Harrison's gorgeous "I Love the Lie." Written by Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton and Liz Rose, the steel-laden song finds hope in believing the best against our better judgment. "Sweet words drippin' from your lips like honey, shining like gold on your silver tongue," Harrison sings. "Feels like a pocket full of easy money, believing in a rainy day sun."
"All My Favorite People," Maren Morris ft. Brothers Osborne
From her newly released sophomore album Girl, Maren Morris' boisterous "All My Favorite People" is made for late night hangs on the front porch with your best friends. Featuring fellow Nashville hell-raisers Brothers Osborne, Morris lifts a glass to all the good-hearted folks just trying to get by with the help of some good music and a few vices. "I don't know about them but I know about us/ It is what it is and we love who we love," Morris sings. "Not everybody gets what we're going through, but all my favorite people do."
