

Music
Rising Country Artist Hannah Ellis Pours Out Summer Fun With “Wine Country”
Tour Dates Announced To Support The Release
Rising Country Artist Hannah Ellis is pouring out fun with her new Curb Records single “Wine Country”, available now — listen HERE. Joyfully bringing boujee to the backroads, Ellis is making an impact with the song as it was most added at Radio and is quickly becoming the Country song of the summer. Fans have been showing their appreciation at her live shows, as evidenced by a flash mob in the audience at her recent CMA Festival performance dancing along as she sang on the Chevy Vibes Stage. (Watch here.)
The up-and-coming singer/songwriter first debuted the judgment-free anthem this spring at Live In The Vineyard Goes Country. Bringing a little Napa to Ellis’ home state of Kentucky, the pop-country twang of “Wine Country” raises a glass to the 2023 “CMT LISTEN UP” artist, proving the old adage true: You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. Admittedly a little Rosé and a lot playful energy, Ellis sips her Cabernet from a Solo Cup, while wearing her black Luccheses on the cleverly penned track she wrote with Clint Lagerberg and her husband, Nick Wayne. Lagerberg produced the recording alongside Jason Massey.
Hannah says the song is “based on the idea that life is not all about this OR that. It’s more about this AND that. I’m boujee AND I’m backroads. You don’t have to choose one lane. Drive ‘em all!”
The video for “Wine Country” was filmed by Tony Gates at various locations in Napa Valley, CA. including the Welcome To Napa Valley Sign, the Napa Valley Wine Train and the rustic Chappellet Winery in Helena, California – to emphasize country in the phrase wine country. “We really had fun with the concept for this video,” Ellis said. “We leaned into the ‘Real Housewives’ type of energy while keeping it country. I really loved the videos from the 90’s that had a different story and a light-hearted theme. It brings out the personality in this song.”
In the video, Hannah sings about Ford trucks as she frolics in winery fields – wearing the owner’s socks. “One of my favorite memories from the video shoot was when we were shooting the brunch scene up on Pritchard Hill at Chappellet Winery,” she said. “I was wearing these tall sharp stiletto heels, and I couldn’t walk down the gravel path to the table. Then I tried barefooted, and the rocks were too sharp. So Blakesley Chappellet, one of the vineyard owners, gave me the socks off her feet so I could walk across the gravel. Such a sweet moment.”
Ellis is announcing new tour dates, beginning in mid-July to support “Wine Country”. Plans are for her to tour for the rest of this year into 2024.
Hannah Ellis – Tour Dates:
Friday, 8/18 – Amphitheater at Los Colonias Park – Grand Junction, CO (w/Billy Currington)
Saturday, 8/19 – Ford Wyoming Center – Casper, Wyoming (w/Billy Currington)
Thursday, 9/7 – Carol’s Pub – Chicago, IL
Friday, 9/8 – Odawa Casino – Petosky, MI
Saturday, 9/9 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
Friday, 9/22 – The Ledge Amphitheater – Waite Park (St. Cloud), MN (w/Billy Currington)
Saturday, 9/23 – Vetter Stone Amphitheater – Mankato, MN (w/Billy Currington)
About Hannah Ellis:
Curb Records recording artist and country music singer/songwriter Hannah Ellis’ journey — and world — is one all can feel at home in. The Campbellsville, Kentucky native’s voice — a mix of favorite flannel, sparkling pink wine and welcome — is the friend we always wanted. Whether pouring from a car radio or your phone, the act named to Rolling Stone Country’s “Artist To Watch” list reminds you big leaps often come as a series of small steps when no one is looking. Having paid for her University of Kentucky degree with her full-ride scholarship, she — with the full support of her family — started chasing her dreams.
Like so many, that meant a self-financed EP, and moving to Nashville to begin the endless rounds of writers nights, meetings, making friends, and trying to find your way. Hannah paid her dues, kept her focus and kept moving toward something she was sure she felt and knew was right. The fresh-faced songwriter, who has nearly 40 million career streams, has since written songs recorded by artists, and been featured as a vocalist on songs, spanning multiple genres, including: Russell Dickerson, Carly Pearce, FOR KING + COUNTRY, Emily Weisband, Cassadee Pope, FILMORE, and Sidewalk Prophets.
The magnetic artist, who has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry multiple times since making her debut, has toured with Carly Pearce, Gavin DeGraw, Dwight Yoakam, Devin Dawson, and many others, and has toured as part of the CMT “Next Women of Country” Tour. Ellis was invited back by her college alma mater to be featured in a national television advertising campaign about pursuing and achieving your dreams. Hannah is one of the “CMT LISTEN UP” artists to watch for 2023
Artist Spotlight
LYIA META’s Dazzling Jazz Album Release “Always You”

Prepare to be enchanted by the unparalleled talents of multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and visual artist Lyia Meta as she unveils her latest masterpiece, “Always You.” With an exceptionally rare contralto vocal range that defies convention and a unique musical style that effortlessly melds jazz, soul, pop, and blues influences, Lyia Meta has once again proven her status as a global sensation among the music industry’s elite.
Lyia Meta, the Malaysian sensation, released her latest album, “Always You,” on June 16, 2023, and is set to captivate the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing her musical endeavor that transcends boundaries. This exquisite 8-track musical album combines jazz, soul, and pop, showcasing Lyia’s unparalleled vocal prowess and lyrical depth that takes listeners on an unmatched emotive depth, infusing each song with a lyrical masterpiece.
The 1st track, titled “Always You,“ exudes nostalgia, a sultry and dreamy ode to love reminiscent of the timeless allure of the Rat Pack era of jazz and blues. Lyia’s contralto vocal range takes center stage, weaving a captivating narrative of love’s enduring appeal.
As the album unfolds, listeners are treated to diverse emotions and melodies. In “Never Enough Time,“ the 2nd track, Lyia’s vocals tug at the heartstrings of a soulful Jazz ballad lasting 4:55 minutes, while the 3rd track, “It’s Up To You“ (04:15 minutes), intricately explores the complexities of love with a jazz sensibility.
“For You,“ the fourth track, is a 04:15 minute heartfelt Jazz melody that explores the yearning and struggle to rekindle a lost relationship with poignant lyrics like, “Do you wish on the stars to have me back? I want to know.” “Save Me,“ the fifth track, delves into the craving for intimacy and attention, set to a melodic Jazz-pop song with a runtime of 3:30 minutes.
“As We Throw Caution To The Wind“ (03:38 minutes), the sixth track, sets the perfect atmosphere for a romantic entanglement, and “To Know What It’s Like“ (04:40 minutes) 7th track takes listeners on a deeper dive into the mysteries of love a soulful journey of self-discovery. The 8th and last track of the album closes with “My Dream Lover,“ which weaves a nostalgic tale of falling in love within the realm of dreams, leaving a lasting impression with a runtime of 04:43 minutes.
Lyia Meta’s “Always You” is a testament to her unwavering commitment to authenticity and musical innovation. Her exceptional vocal performances, intertwined with a seamless fusion of jazz, soul, and more, redefine the boundaries of music and mark her as a rising star in the industry.
Lyia Meta has carved her niche with this album’s release following earning accolades like ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Female Vocalist’ at the 2022 Global Music Awards. With an inspiring voice that effortlessly traverses the worlds of blues and classical music, she is admired alongside renowned artists like Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse, proving her worldwide popularity and musical prowess.
Lyia Meta’s “Always You” offers audiences worldwide a captivating and soulful musical journey that can now be streamed on various platforms. This unforgettable indie experience is a must-have for any Jazz aficionado’s playlist. Watch out for future album releases, which will become timeless classics.
For more information about Lyia Meta, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Lyia Meta’s “Always You” on Spotify.
Featured
Singer/Songwriter Robert LaRoche Releases New Music

I’m no stranger to Robert LaRoche’s songwriting. Longtime songwriter, solo artist, and frontman for The Sighs, LaRoche enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter who commands respect from his peers and has a devoted following stretching back years. I approached his new solo release Forevermore with excitement. My faith in his abilities proved well-placed as LaRoche serves up ten songs rich with the accumulated experiences of a lifetime and brimming with the same unique talents that have secured his place in the modern indie music scene. For those familiar with him, Forevermore is a reaffirmation of his gifts while, for newcomers, it gives them an excellent place to start their discovery of his work.
Acoustic guitar is integral to this album and “Steal Your Heart” announces that from the first. This isn’t a folky singer-songwriter effort, however, as LaRoche’s decades-long experience fronting bands serves him well here and elsewhere. It’s a full-throated ensemble performance replete with satisfying changes and a lyric that veers between aching affection and borderline heartbreak. Zonder Kennedy’s guitar solo puts a fiery exclamation point on “Burn That Kingdom Down”, the album’s second song, but LaRoche’s lyrics are equally impressive. He writes and sings as if this were one of those songs that took a week or so to write and two decades to live. The sense of stakes is audible from beginning to end.
“Forevermore” is a strong title song. LaRoche aims for more of a mood piece with this cut and the diverse instrumentation he utilizes for the collection surfaces here in a pronounced way. He frames the unattainable object of LaRoche’s desire at the heart of this song in tasteful poetic lyrics that he’s well suited for conveying with his voice. Vocal harmonies play an important role in fleshing out many of Forevermore’s songs and sweeten the obvious vulnerability underlying a song such as “Safter Inside”. It adopts the same semi-brisk pace as many of the release’s other songs but never feels rushed.
He serves up a nuanced song about lost love with “Temporary Virtue” and mature listeners will appreciate his unique take on the subject. There’s heartache and regret galore throughout this lyric. LaRoche and the sensitive arrangement conspire well to communicate those emotions. It lays his heart bare in a more direct fashion, at least musically than some of the preceding songs while being no less effective. The rueful “Traitorous Heart” gains a lot of traction from the contrasting laid back character of its arrangement and LaRoche’s scornful lyrics. He lays out betrayal and undermining behavior in a matter of fact manner. There are hints of the underlying resentment, however, provided by the song’s electric guitar passages.
This is a thoroughly successful release from beginning to end. Robert LaRoche deserves fulsome praise for his ability to write about a subject as old as song itself, love, in such an individualistic fashion. He isn’t remaking the songwriting wheel with Forevermore, but he pours old wine into new bottles with a skillfulness that deserves our applause and attention.
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