Sunday, February 28, 2016

10 New Songs to Check Out This Week

1. Said No One Ever -Jana Kramer 
2. The High Road -Molly Brown 
3. Someone to take your place -Tara Thompson 
4. Thinkin' Bout You -Rose Falcon
5. Piece By Piece -Kelly Clarkson 
6. Square Pegs -Kelsea Ballerini  
7. All About That -Sarah Ross
8. Cowboy Side Of You -Clare Dunn 
9. Drunk Girls Don't Cry -Maren Morris 
10. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang -Abbi Walker
Listen Here



Thursday, February 25, 2016

Kelly Clarkson Stuns With "Piece By Piece"

Kelly Clarkson recently released her music video for her song "Piece By Piece." The video is captured in white and black and features Kelly's daughter as well. The video inspiring; the song touching as ever.
On American Idol Kelly put all emotion into her performance of "Piece By Piece" and let out a tear or two portraying her powerful connection to this touching song. 
Check out both the music video and her American Idol appearance by clicking on the links above and follow for more news @nextwomenofcoun(try) on Twitter, Spotify, Instagram, and Facebook! 

American Idol's Top 10 Artist Tristan McIntosh And Her Idol Journey

Only 15 years old, breaking the bro-country and diversity barriers of country music, Tristan McIntosh is one American Idol fans will never forget. Not her first roller coaster with talent competitions, having previously performed on America’s Got Talent and The X Factor, Tristan knew the final season of American Idol was her time to shine. Tristan started off her journey singing Mickey Guyton’s new hit “Why Baby Why” followed by an emotional reunion with her military mother who had recently returned from overseas to see her daughter perform. Coming out of her first audition with a golden ticket and Jennifer Lopez declaring that Tristan reminded her of the powerful Alicia Keys, she was off to Hollywood.

Nervous in Hollywood, Tristan sang Carrie Underwood’s song “Something In the Water.” Though her stage presence was "lacking", her talent still impressed the judges and she was off to the next round. In the group round Tristan began to stand out above the rest. Keith Urban even called her out specifically and told her she sings beautifully and “really shined” during the performance. With the high praise received there was no doubt that the judges were moving Tristan on to the next round.
Hollywood solo round was yet another beautiful dedication to Tristan’s mom. Singing a cover of The Rascal Flatts’ song “What Hurts the Most” the judges and her mother, crying in the front row, were touched by her performance. Later claiming “it’s a girl’s season” before telling Tristan she was off to the next round.

With one last performance to go before the judges decided the top 24 Tristan knew it was time to perform and she sure did later declaring “I actually performed for the first time in my life.” Choosing the more upbeat song “Stronger” by Faith Hill Tristan showed a new side of herself to the judges, something that pleased them enough to let her advance to the top 24.

With each performance Tristan seemed to keep improving, but she wavered a bit in her debut appearance as a Top 24 contestant. For her solo performance, Tristan showed off yet another side of herself with a bit of rocker girl edge singing “Good Girl,” another Carrie Underwood song. Jennifer Lopez said Tristan might have been thinking a bit too much in the beginning, but by the end she was feeling it and she should concentrate on that. Harry Connick Jr. was happy to hear Tristan do something different, but he thought it was just an ‘okay’ performance. Keith Urban didn’t like the song choice, but thought she killed everything else.

Then came the duet with American Idol contestant and Women of Country superstar Kellie Pickler. Singing Kellie’s hit “Best Days of Our Lives” it was a “pretty darn good” performance according to judge Harry.

Yet again singing “What Hurts the Most” in her top 14 performance, a song that fits her music style perfectly, Tristan was quickly declared “better than ever!” by the judges. With that Tristan was on her way to the top 10. Though not a member of the top four saved by the judges, Tristan McIntosh didn't have to wait long to learn her fate. The Nashville singer's name was the first to be called into the show's Top 10 singers on Thursday after the first public vote of the season. But that happened in the first five minutes of a two-hour show. From there, it was right back to work. Her string of country covers continued with her take on Dan and Shay's "Nothin' Like You." The song the judges agreed wasn't the best choice for her, but that didn’t stop Guest judge and performer Kelly Clarkson from saying she was among the millions who were blown away by McIntosh's emotional audition video, when she played piano and sang Mickey Guyton's "Why Baby Why."
Often told by the judges her age is an issue as she is less experience and still learning unlike some of the other contestants, Tristan in all confidence has stated “I want to show the judges and the rest of America that I’m not too young to win this thing,” and we want to see that too. So make sure to tune into American Idol which returns March 3 at 7 pm on Fox and vote for Tristan McIntosh!

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Ten New Songs to Check Out This Week

Dancin' In the Headlights -Nikki Briar
Just Like In the Movies -Jana Kramer
If Love Was Fair -Ashley Monroe
Somebody Else's Song -Megan Fowler
The Way You Say Goodnight -Leslie Powell
Sparks Will Fly -Brenda Burch
The Call -Ashliegh Lisset
Stilettos -Kelsea Ballerini
Here When Gone -Jewel
Whiskey Dreaming -Morgan Myles


Sunday, February 14, 2016

Your Next Women of Country Valentines Day Playlist

1. Love -Jana Kramer
2. Dibs -Kelsea Ballerini
3. Handcuffed to Your Heart -Celeste Kellogg
4. Dance Hall -Emily Brooke
5. Heart First -Jordyn Stoddard
6. Love Tonight -Lucy Hale
7. When a Girl Loves A Boy -Lindsey Bryant
8. If You Ask Me To -MacKenzie Porter
9. Give In To Me -Rose Falcon
10. Home To Me -Sarah Darling
11. For A Boy -RaeLynn
12. Hold On -Aileeah Colgan
13. From Time To Time -Ashley Monroe
14. Love Song -Miranda Lambert
15. When You Say My Name -Jessie James Decker
16. Bleeding Love -Leona Lewis
17. I Got The Boy -Jana Kramer
18. Can't Buy Love -Courtney Cole
19. Without You -Holly Williams
20. Everything To You -Caitlyn Smith

Have Spotify?

Listen To The Entire Playlist Here

Saturday, February 13, 2016

A Story of A Storyteller: Devon Nickoles

Born to sing and following her dream is Maryland raised artist Devon Nickoles. Graduating from high school at the young age of 16, after experimenting with the art of horseback riding, Devon turned her focus towards her music career. Devon’s music, inspired by strong storytellers of country music in the likes of Jennifer Nettles, Taylor Swift, Reba, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, and Miranda Lambert, is written to inspire and empower her listeners. An artist who sees country music as we do here at Next Women of Country, Devon’s song “Circus” reflects her personal experience with the high and lows of her musical journey, reminding herself and every dreamer out there to never give up.


A woman dedicated to her music, but also her love of animals and giving back to her community, Devon has has rescued and adopted 7 horses, 2 roosters,1 hen, 5 cats, a turtle, 2  dogs, various fish, hermit crabs, a duck, 2 pygmy goats, 1 sugar glider, a rat, and a pot belly pig. This drive and ambition reflects in her music and she hopes to reach out and inspire more to do the same in the future. Similar to many up and coming artists, Devon also wishes for a chance to attend an awards show both receiving recognition for her work and having the honor to perform in front of country’s greatest stars. Knowing the music business as a difficult one to enter into, Devon plans to help support women of country helping make it easier for women to enter the country music scene in the future.


Working with top notch music producers from Marty Rifkin to Howard Willing to Craig Wilson and Jay Tooke, Devon has released five self written and performed singles, including her newly released hit “Perfume” available on Spotify, I-Tunes, and on her website at www.devonnickoles.com. Check out her music if you haven’t already and make sure to listen in to hear the rest of her story by following her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @devonnickoles.

Photo credit to Naturally Vivid Photography

Thursday, February 11, 2016

American Idol Contestant Emily Brooke Is Not Done Yet

With the final season of American Idol coming to an end, the artist count is diminishing and the disappointment begins to set in. Emily Brooke is one of the top 24 artists from a pool of over 25,000 artists who auditioned for American Idol's Farewell Season, an accomplishment for sure, and though tonight’s episode was the final night for this young artist she’s proved to America that nothing can stop her now. Entering the competition as young girl from a small town, Emily was quick to make a name for herself, not just with the judges but with the viewers as well. Found receiving an abundance of airtime and much praise from the judges, many viewers began to place Emily as a favorite to win it all. It was not until Emily’s performance of Cassadee Pope's “I am Invincible” where viewers first heard any sign of disappointment from the judges. Emily later posted a successful rehearsal video of her performance to ensure viewers that she hadn’t lost her spark. But things didn't end there. Emily performed a powerful duet with women of country artist Lauren Alaina to end her time on the American Idol stage and though voted off soon thereafter, there’s no doubt that this girl has a big future ahead of her and we're dying to see what's to come next.

Missed an episode? Check out all of Emily’s 2016 American Idol performances HERE.


Monday, February 8, 2016

Five New Songs of the Week

1. Wild and Crazy -Alyssa Trahan
2. Here Right Now -Emily Brooke
3. Steal Me Away -Olivia Lane
4. Peter Pan -Kelsea Ballerini 
5. About Life -Julianne Hough

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Award Shows: Why is There Still So Much Inequality?

The ACM Awards, yet another awards show full of well known artists, beautiful gowns, and the year’s hottest tracks. But who are the nominees? Of course male artists Eric Church and Chris Stapleton lead the nominee count with five nominees each, but not far behind them is women of country artist Cam along with the group Little Big Town and yet another male artist, Chris Young. As for entertainer of the year, of the five nominees only one a female. So why is there still so much inequality?


Well that’s because, though improved, the ratio of women played on the radio to men is much less. Yes Carrie Underwood's song “Heartbeat” is played all the time, but you don’t hear more than ten different female artists on the radio over a few hours like you do men. Some say there aren’t enough out there or none “good enough,” but I know I can prove those people wrong. Many I’ve talked to are drawn away from country music, because of what some male artists have done to it. Those not familiar with the genre think of country music and they think of repetitive lyrics about nothing other than drinking, breakups, and driving on tractors. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but as all country music fans know country music is much more. Women are trying to change the way country music is perceived. They want to make an impact on their listeners. And are doing so by telling the sad, challenging, and exciting moments of their lives, turning each song into a story. By creating lyrics that portray everyday events while incorporating the instrumental sound of country music, these artists are giving everyone the chance to connect with their music, no matter the genre they prefer.


Next Women of Country and all of our followers have done so much already to change the ways of country music, but this year I propose that we redefine country music to ensure equality on the charts, on stage, and at the AMA’s.

Join the cause today by following Next Women of Country on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and at www.womenofcountry.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Emily Brooke Takes Women Of Country To the Top 24

Emily Brooke cannot only belt out amazing women of country covers such as Raelynn’s song ‘Careless’ and Cassadee Pope’s song ‘I Wish I Could Break Your Heart,’ but she has shown America that she can perform any country music favorite with the ease and perfection of even the greatest country music legends. On her way to the top 24 Emily finished up Hollywood Week of American Idol with a cover of the Rascal Flatts hit ‘What Hurts the Most,’ a soulful and heartwarming performance that placed a smile across the face of every judge. It’s been obvious along the way from the judges comments and the amount air time Emily has received that she’s a favorite, but that doesn’t mean the nerves and the chance of going home aren’t still a thought in the back of Emily’s mind. This season may be hers and making it to the top 24 means things are looking up for this young country artist, but things aren’t final yet and that’s where we have to come in. Because Emily not only represents country music, but women of country and every artist out there just trying to be heard, it’s up to us to help Emily win the final season of American Idol by making sure to vote each week. So tune into American Idol every Wednesday and Thursday on FOX at 8/7c and don’t forget to vote for women of country’s Emily Brooke!

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Keep Singing Your Song Leanne Weiss

Artists from everywhere are contacting Next Women of Country with stories to tell and music to share. My next artist shoutout goes to New Jersey raised artist, Leanne Weiss. Leanne, the daughter of two supportive parents, used her childhood as an opportunity to try a little bit of everything. From soccer to basketball, dance and singing Leanne did it all. Feeling out of place as a young teenager, Leanne turned to music and songwriting as a way to express her feelings to those around her. Vocalists from every genre including Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion inspired Leanne through the early stages of songwriting. After high school, Leanne attended Montclair State University majoring in theatre. Alongside her roles on the stage she also performed with a wedding band and in a cabernet.


What really got Leanne to pursue her dream as a country music artist was seeing women of country artist Carrie Underwood perform. Knowing Carrie had been in her position before, it struck Leanne that she herself could achieve the same. Right away Leanne got to work and decided to record her first album while continuing to teach at an elementary school. Working with her friend Chris Badami, Leanne released her latest EP  “Momentum” last November. She plans to spend the new year promoting her new single and playing shows across the country. In the future Leanne hopes to find herself upon the Grand Ole Opry stage and receive awards for her music.

Next Women of Country is excited to see what comes next for this girl and pleased to share the new Official Music Video for Leanne’s EP “Momentum”. (Click Here) Leanne’s music can also be found via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, and of course on her website at www.LeanneWeiss.com.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

10 New Songs To Check Out This Week

1. Runaround -Leanne Weiss
2. Roll Up Your Sleeves -Kim Paige
3. Just Like In the Movies -Jana Kramer
4. About Life -Julianne Hough
5. Lie To Me -Merritt Whitley
6. Sunset Avenue -Nikki Briar
7. After the Storm Blows Through -Maddie & Tae
8. Church Bells -Carrie Underwood
9. Forever and Almost Always -Kate Voegele
10. Everybody -Laura Bell Bundy