Month: February 2023

The day Parker McCollum wrote “Handle On You” was just an ordinary session with songwriter Monty Criswell. 

“I had been tossing some melodies around but didn’t really have anything that I was too over the top about or over the moon about when Monty came over that day,” Parker says. “And he was like, ‘Man, I’ve got this idea for this song. It’s called “Finally Got a Handle on You.”‘”

As Monty sang his idea for the first line, Parker answered with the next.

“I just literally just kept singing it out. And he was writing it down,” he recalls. “And I’d sing it out and he’d write it down, and he’d sing something out and I’d write it down. And it just fell out so quickly … 90% of the time, it does not go like that.”

Still, in his typically humble manner, Parker didn’t really think too much of it.

“A couple weeks later, Monty had a demo tracked up and wanted to know if I wanted to come over and stop by and sing vocals on it,” Parker continues. “And I sang it and he was like, ‘Dude, that’s a hit.’ He’s like, ‘That’s a hit, dude.'”

“And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m weird. I don’t ever even say that,'” he reveals. “I’m like, just write the song, record it. If they want to put it at radio, good. I don’t ever want to jinx anything or think too highly of anything that I do.”

“And man, I think he was right,” Parker finally acquiesces.

“Handle On You” is the lead single from Parker’s follow-up to 2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy and appears on track to be his third #1 in a row.

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Backstage and on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, artists were grateful for the recognition, though some had a hard time believing that they’d actually won.

Harry Styles’ Harry’s House beat out albums by Adele and Beyonce to win the Album of the Year trophy. Backstage, the pop superstar told reporters, “It’s obviously incredibly nice to receive this. I don’t think is the reason that any of us in the room do it. I’m so, so grateful that they thought the album was worthy of it…and I think more than anything, it just kind of feels like validation that you’re on the right path.“

But nobody was more shocked than Bonnie Raitt, whose song “Just Like That” beat out number ones by Harry, Adele, Beyonce, Lizzo and more to win Song of the Year.  Backstage, she said it reminded her of when she swept the Grammys in 1990.  “I can’t believe this. I just can’t,” she squealed. “It’s like when I won for Nick of Time. I just could not believe that they called my name…get the hell outta of Dodge, yknow?”

Kim Petras became the first transgender woman to win in the Best Pop Vocal Duo/Group Performance category for her duet with Sam Smith, “Unholy.” Backstage, she said, “I never, ever thought I would get this kind of recognition for my music. So it’s really special. And I’ve got to get really, really drunk to process it!”  She then joked, “I want to find out if you can do a shot out of a Grammy, so wish me luck!”

Ozzy Osbourne, who recently announced his retirement from touring, won two Grammys for his album Patient Number 9. Andrew Watt, who co-wrote and produced the album and accepted it on Ozzy’s behalf, said on the red carpet that the metal legend is “so overjoyed to be recognized,” adding, “He’s such a humble, amazing guy. And the smile on his face…was just amazing.”

Country solo stars Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce became the first women ever to win the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their hit “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.” Backstage, Ashley said if she could talk to her 16-year-old self, she’d tell her, “‘I want to tell you what happens, but it’s so cool…You’re going to get a text from Reba [McEntire], but I’m not going to tell you why.’ Which is what happened to me today!

Singer/songwriter Muni Long, who won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for her song “Hrs & Hrs,” told reporters backstage that she hoped her win means that, finally, she won’t be ignored any longer.  “Hopefully this means that people will just listen to me the first time when I say something and I don’t have to continue to fight to get my vision across,” she said. “For me, it means that maybe I might know a little bit!”

A highlight of the Grammy telecast was a special 50th anniversary salute to hip-hop featured dozens of notable rap performers, including the man who started it all back in 1973: Grandmaster Flash. On the red carpet, he said he’s most proud of the fact that  “people who don’t speak the English language, gravitated to this thing…this thing is not just an American art form. This is a global art form!” 

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The 65th annual Grammy Awards went down in Los Angeles Sunday Night with Willie Nelson walking away the big country winner, with two trophies.  The 89-year-old legend won Best Country Album for A Beautiful Time, and Best Country Solo Performance for “Live Forever,” bringing his total career Grammy wins to 12.

The night's other big country winners included Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, who each took home their first Grammy, winning Best Country Duo/Group performance for “Never Wanted to Be That Girl.” Best Country song went to Cody Johnson's track Til You Can’t,” which was written by Matt Rogers and Ben Stennis.

Brandi Carlile also took home awards but not in country categories. She won Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Broken Horses,” and Best Americana album for In These Silent Days.

Grammy night also featured two special country performances. Luke Combs made his Grammy performance debut with “Going Going Gone,” while Kacey Musgraves helped the Grammys pay tribute to the legendary Loretta Lynn, who passed away in October, with a performance of Lynn’s signature song “Coal Miner's Daughter.” During the performance, Naomi Judd was also remembered with a photo projected on the screen.

And that’s not all. Chris Stapleton also helped bring the house down, teaming with Stevie Wonder for a performance of Wonder’s classic “Higher Ground,” to help celebrate this year’s MusiCares Persons of the Year, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy.

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The Mavericks‘ 10th anniversary deluxe edition of their In Time album is set to arrive March 3. 

You can check out the music video for the new LOCASH track “Three Favorite Colors” on YouTube now.

On May 19, Josh Turner will put out the first-ever vinyl edition of his Long Black Train album, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of his signature song and his upcoming tour of the same name. 

“All or Nothing” is the first track from Caylee Hammack‘s upcoming sophomore record.

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Luke Combs is a man of his word.

On Thursday, he tweeted, “Curious to know y'all's thoughts on this… If I were to release another song before the album comes out, what would y'all want it to be?”

A short time later, he followed up with, “‘Love You Anyway’ out next Friday, Feb. 10,” which, of course, was among many of his fans’ requests. 

“If your touch shattered me like glass/ I’d be in pieces trying to make the breaking last/ If it took one look to turn my days to night/ At least I’d have the stars that sparkle in your eyes,” he sings during a minute-long clip of him in the studio.

“There’s just some things that leave a man no choice/ Like a compass needle needing its true north/ If I knew the day we met you’d be the reason this heart breaks/ Oh I’d love you anyway,” the romantic tune continues.

So far, we don’t know the complete track listing for Luke’s 18-song Gettin’ Old, which comes out March 24. 

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