TOP 23 SONGS THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE IN 2023

This year, the world around us may have been out of tune and every note seemed out of place, but music kept us in harmony. Thank you to all of the artists, musicians and songwriters who kept the music playing this year. 

These are the 23 songs that kept me grounded in 2023, my personal, most listened to favorites. You may or may not have heard these songs or even some of the artists. Some songs are newer than others, some may be all over the radio and some may not, but every one of them made a personal impression on me and have I found myself playing them daily, sometimes on repeat and truly taking the time to listen and not just let them play as distractions in the background of every day life. 

Be sure to check out the artist websites, digital music sites and social media pages. Let them know you hear them and that you like what you hear. The gift of encouragement is the best gift you can give to an artist.

Thank you to these artists for consistently giving me a reason to listen and not just hear the music. I appreciate all of you.

1.) "The Basement" - Joseph Habedank

2.) "Good Morning Mercy" - Jason Crabb & Dylan Scott

3.) "Save the Roses" - Lee Brice

4.) "The Painter" - Cody Johnson 

5.) "Rollercoaster (Forever and a Day)" - Brothers Osborne

6.) "Man on the Middle Cross" - Rhett Walker

7.) "Talking To Jesus" - Brandon Lake & Thomas Rhett

8.) "Things I Take for Granted" - Larry Fleet

9.) "Cab in a Solo" - Scotty McCreery

10.) "Five Dollar Bible" - Tony Jackson

11.) "Lift Me Up" - Darius Rucker

12.) "Road Dog" - Skip Ewing

13.) "Less Like Me" - Triumphant Quartet

14.) "All I Need to See" - Mitch Rossell

15.) "Have We Forgotten" - Darryl Worley

16.) "I Would If I Could" (Demo) - Skip Ewing & Dean Dillon

17.) "Nobody's Fault But Mine" - Travis Tritt

18.) "A Little Right Now" - Charles Esten

19.) "Amen" - Alana Springsteen

20.) "Mamaw's House" - Thomas Rhett & Morgan Wallen

21.) "Sunday's Comin'" - Zach Williams & Warren Peay

22.) "Jesus Is The Door" - Matt Winters

23.) "When I Get Where I'm Going" - Clint Brown & Sonya Isaacs

CRAIG CAMPBELL AND DAUGHTERS RELEASE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC "SANTA BABY"

 

Craig Campbell is wrapping up his most ambitious music year ever with the release of a beautiful rendition of the holiday classic “Santa Baby” today. Craig’s talented daughters Preslee and Kinni take the lead on vocals with their dad adding harmony. Older sister Preslee also recorded Kinni’s vocals, opening a new chapter for the creative 15-year-old. The song is available today HERE on Grindstone Recordings.

“It’s always so much fun getting my two girls in the studio,” said Craig. “It was even more so watching Preslee run the controls and recording Kinni in her own bedroom! Their version of ‘Santa Baby’ will always be super special.”

Preslee added, “’Santa Baby’ is one of my favorite Christmas songs ever! I loved being able to record myself and my sister in my own studio on a song that we both love.”

Kinni summarized, “I am always a little nervous recording vocals but being in my sister’s bedroom and working with her made it super easy and fun!”

Craig dug deep into his catalog of songs recorded during two label deals and gems he cut for his own label, when he released The Lost Files: Exhibit A in February. Continuing the process, he unearthed another 17 songs for The Lost Files: Exhibit B in August. The first single released from Exhibit B is “Summer Soundtrack,” a perfect, sultry season-ender written by Craig with Phil O’Donnell and Wade Kirby and produced by Mickey Jack Cones.

Fans can catch Craig and his band performing at Gilley’s at the Treasure Island Resort in Las Vegas as part of the National Finals Rodeo on December 7 and 8. More information HERE.

For updates on tour dates and other news about Craig, visit: 

https://www.craigcampbell.tv

https://www.youtube.com/user/craigcampbelltv?sub_confirmation=1

https://twitter.com/craigcampbelltv

https://www.facebook.com/CraigCampbelltv/

https://www.instagram.com/craigcampbelltv

https://soundcloud.com/craigcampbelltv/

https://www.tiktok.com/@craigcampbellmusic

SINGER/SONGWRITER JON STATHAM JOINS FORCES WITH VETERANS THROUGH WARRIOR ROUNDS TO CREATE SONGS OF RESILIENCE

Embarking on a soul-stirring journey, acclaimed songwriter Jon Statham is harmonizing with the untold narratives of veterans through Warrior Rounds, transforming their experiences into powerful compositions of resilience and shared humanity.

Warrior Rounds was created to bring together veterans with songwriters to tell the untold stories of the heroes who have served our country. It was started by J.T. Cooper in 2019 “to help veterans have a voice,” he says. “Music helped me with my PTSD after my experience with war, during the battle of Mogadishu, of Black Hawk Down. We’ve done 60 stories and songs so far.”

Nashville singer/songwriter Jon Statham became involved with Warrior Rounds in 2022 through his friend and songwriting partner, Jason Martin. “I’ve written about 40 or more songs with Jason [Martin], many of the early ones were about his time in the army, and he introduced me to Warrior Rounds,” said Statham.

Statham described the Warrior Rounds project as a day retreat for veterans where they tell their stories to songwriters. “Heroes should always have a song written about them,” he said. Of these retreats, Statham noted, “it’s quite an experience, incredibly fulfilling.”

Cooper is thrilled with the collaboration with Statham, “Jon is awesome, he gets the Heart of what we do – one Warrior’s Story, one song at a time,” he says. This project is not only a celebration of artistic expression but a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving their country.

Jon Statham and Jason Martin started writing music together at the end of 2015 and put out their first song ”The Soldier and Me” in 2016. Martin described writing songs with Statham, “It is smooth, almost magical. [Jon] understands music so well that once he has the story and a melody in mind it just flows out.”

Martin was in the military for 20 years, and says it is the main thing that influences what he writes songs about. “Songwriting is all about the truth through stories and melodies and my time in the military formed who I am and who I will always be–a soldier, a warrior,” he said.

For Statham, this is also personal – “My dad proudly served in the Army. He was stationed in Japan and Asia. That’s where he got his start in radio and music, surprisingly enough. He spent many years in Country Music Radio.”

Most recently, Statham collaborated on the song “Hard Times Don’t Last” during a day retreat with Warrior Rounds. You can hear the story behind the song in the video below. 

The Warrior Rounds project aims to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by veterans and to foster a sense of unity and understanding. As the project unfolds, Statham wants the public to follow along and celebrate the strength, camaraderie, and stories of those who have served. Donations are most welcome to help keep these stories going at www.warriorrounds.com. 

More information is available on Warrior Rounds at www.facebook.com/warriorrounds or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@warriorrounds4844.

To learn more about Jon Statham and his music, visit www.jonstatham.com 

or follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ALABAMA ANNOUNCES 2024 JUNE JAM XVIII

Iconic Event Returns to Fort Payne, Alabama’s VFW Fairgrounds on June 1, 2024

Tickets On-sale Via Ticketmaster This Friday, December 1, at 10 AM / CT

Pre-sale Begin Tomorrow, November 28, at 10 AM / CT

Today, legendary country band ALABAMA announced June Jam XVIII, taking place in Fort Payne, Alabama at the VFW Fairgrounds on June 1 of next year. Tickets for the iconic festival, benefiting charitable causes throughout the state of Alabama, go on-sale this Friday, December 1 at 10 AM / CT via Ticketmaster. Pre-sales are available tomorrow, November 28, at 10 AM / CT.

Following a 16-year hiatus, ALABAMA co-founders Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry resurrected June Jam this past summer, drawing nearly 11,000 fans to Fort Payne, raising hundreds of thousands. Owen and Gentry are thrilled to continue the tradition and plan to keep June Jam going for years to come.

Collectively, the past 17 June Jam events have raised over 20 million dollars for the state of Alabama. Money raised goes to The June Jam Foundation which donates to those in need across the state, including disaster relief.

"What a great way to help raise money for many charities and those in need and at the same time, having a great party in a field with our guest artists and fans," says Gentry. "Come join us."

“Looking forward to another great June Jam," adds Owen. "It’s gonna be fun!"

ALABAMA will announce next year’s lineup of talent in the coming months.

June Jam was created by Fort Payne’s sons, ALABAMA, and brought some of the biggest names in country music together for charity. The first June Jam benefit concert took place in 1982 and continued annually for sixteen years, making it one of the biggest country music events in the nation. Previous performers include Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson, The Judds, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Wayne Newton, Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson and many more.

June Jam XVIII is produced by Outback Presents and Conway Entertainment Group.

THE LEGENDARY OAK RIDGE BOYS HONORED WITH TENNESSEE MUSIC PATHWAYS MARKER

Pictured: William Lee Golden, Simone Golden, Richard Sterban and Donna Sterban with the families of Lon “Deacon” Freeman and Wally Fowler at the Tennessee Music Pathways Oak Ridge Boys marker in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 

Photo: Jeremy Westby/2911 Media

With their "American Made: Farewell Tour" underway, the legendary Oak Ridge Boys added one more historical notch in their music belt yesterday, November 20.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in Oak Ridge, Tennessee honored the group with their well deserved very own Tennessee Music Pathways marker along with a key to the city and a proclamation honoring everything they've done for the area.

“It was a very special day,” shares Golden. “Being part of this remarkable group is something I never take for granted. Our journey has been uniquely blessed and one that very few have had the opportunity to achieve. I am thankful to Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban for their contributions to the Oak Ridge Boys, along with our band and co-workers. A special thank you to Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms for helping make this day possible!”

“I can’t think of anywhere I would rather have been than at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with the kind folks at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development who worked so hard to design this marker,” expresses Sterban. “The Oak Ridge Boys as a group goes back 80 years to the original members, Wally Fowler, Lon “Deacon” Freeman, Curly Kinsey and Johnny New, and we have never forgotten them or their contributions. It has been a privilege to build on that.”