Music Notes: Brian Kelley, Thomas Rhett & More

Brian Kelley teams up with country music newcomer Huntt Garrett in their new single “Meet Me At The Bar,” which dropped early in May. The track blends country-blues with hip-hop flair and a booming bass to capture small-town Southern vibes and good times. It showcases Kelley’s Florida roots mixed with Garrett’s West Texas energy. 

“We hit it off quick after being introduced! Huntt played me ‘Meet Me At The Bar,’ and I loved it from the first time I heard it and asked if I could hop on!” Kelley said. 

Kelley’s keeping the momentum going with his 19-date Sunshine State of Mind Tour, kicking off late July in Savannah, GA, and wrapping in early September. Following his 2022 solo tour and a stint with Travis Tritt, he’s also hosting sold-out Surf Post Sessions at his Tribe Kelley Surf Post in Florida. With “Meet Me At The Bar” and his tour, Kelley’s pushing boundaries while lifting up new talent like Garrett.

Multi-Platinum country star Thomas Rhett added three new tracks to his seventh album, About A Woman. The fresh songs—“Small Town Girls” featuring Tucker Wetmore, “I’m That Guy,” and “Dance With You”—bringing a lively mix of summertime feel-good tunes. 

“These songs are all about that awestruck, carefree magic,” Rhett shared, reflecting the album’s vibrant spirit.

Following the release of About A Woman, Rhett’s diving into summer, hitting the road with this new collaboration and his tourmate, Weymore. Rhett’s latest work solidifies his place as a hitmaker who knows how to keep fans dancing.

Midland’s new song, “Glass Half Empty” is the perfect honky tonk country vibe. Written by band members Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy with Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell, the track blends the trio’s signature harmonies with a carefree, feel-good energy that lifts spirits, staying true to the Texas-influenced sound fans have loved since their mega hit, “Drinkin’ Problem.” Give it a listen on its release date: May 23, 2025. 

Chris Lane’s latest track, “Shade Tree,” released early in May, blends mandolin and fiddle tones with heartfelt lyrics about simpler times. The chorus, “Underneath the shade tree / Are the roots that shaped me,” evokes a longing for Lane’s rural roots, accompanied by a music video that debuted on CMT. The song is the title track for his upcoming album, Shade Tree, out June 20, featuring 12 tracks, including the radio single “If I Die Before You” and collaborations like “Fire We Found” with Abby Anderson.

Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox teamed up with GRAMMY-nominated R&B/pop star Akon and reggaeton artist De la Ghetto for a new, vibrant summer anthem “Hold The Umbrella." The single, released by Big Machine Label Group, is out now. Crafted with producers Rudy Pérez and Mickey Jack Cones, the track’s breezy melody and pop-infused sound take listeners on a journey to the tropics, with a carefree, party-ready vibe that celebrates good times.

Dylan Gossett is gearing up to release his debut album, Westward, coming out mid-July. The 17-track project, written and produced by Gossett, weaves together stories of love, family, and chasing dreams, drawn from the past two years of his life. 

“This album is a collection of stories that I wrote during the craziest two years of my life. I hope everyone can find something for themselves in it,” said Gossett.

Alongside the announcement, Gossett dropped his new single “American Trail,” which he debuted at Stagecoach Festival. Fresh off the success of his hit “Coal,” Gossett has been making waves with sold-out shows and massive streaming numbers. He’s currently on the road, touring on The Back 40 Tour, with stops across the Midwest and West. Fans can also catch him at the Grand Ole Opry for his debut on June 4. 

Country rock star HARDY has released a new EP, COUNTRY!, featuring five tracks, one being the chart-climbing “Favorite Country Song,” which topped country radio adds this week. The EP coincides with his Grand Ole Opry debut during the Opry 100 festivities, where he performed alongside Ella Langley on their hit “Wait in the Truck,” introduced by Lainey Wilson.

The release sets the stage for HARDY’s JIM BOB World Tour, kicking off this month with stops in LA and New York, plus his first European shows. Supported by Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., and others, the tour follows a stellar 2024, with HARDY’s No. 1 album Quit!!, 6 billion career streams, and collaborations with artists like Fred Durst and Chad Smith, cementing his reputation as a dynamic force in country and rock.

Jackson Dean is out with his new single “Be Your Man,” a heartfelt track that’s all about confessing love with no holds barred. With his gritty, gravelly voice and a sultry bass-driven tone, Dean delivers a song full of sincerity, perfect for those big romantic moments. 

“This song’s about saying exactly what’s on your mind to the one you love,” Dean shared.

“Be Your Man” kicks off a fresh chapter for Dean, pushing his sound and storytelling into new territory, showcasing his ability to blend raw emotion with a bit of an edge, signaling more exciting things to come.

Tucker Wetmore’s debut album, What Not To, has taken country music by storm, landing at No. 15 on Billboard’s 200 Albums chart as the biggest country debut by a new artist in 2025. With over 1 billion global streams, the album’s mix of radio-ready hits like “Brunette” and introspective tracks like the title song showcases Wetmore’s storytelling range, earning praise from Billboard as “poised to be a star-maker.”

Fresh off a sold-out Ryman Auditorium debut in May, Wetmore’s momentum continues with a new music video for his Billboard Hot 100 single “3,2,1” and a collaboration with Thomas Rhett on “Small Town Girls.” As he prepares for Rhett’s Better in Boots Tour 2025, Wetmore’s blend of grit and relatability marks him as a rising star to watch.

Country star Dylan Scott recently earned a Pandora Billionaire plaque for surpassing one billion streams on Pandora, celebrated on April 25 in Indio, Calif., before his Stagecoach Mane Stage performance. “Thank you to Pandora for all their amazing support,” said Benson Curb of Curb Records, noting their long-standing belief in Scott. His ongoing Country Till I Die Tour has broken attendance records with sold-out shows, including his arena headline debut in Youngstown, Ohio, marking his highest-grossing performance.

As the tour wraps in Florida, Scott prepares for his third album, Easy Does It, out late in May. The 11-track project reflects themes of heartbreak, love, and small-town roots, featuring his recent No. 1 hit “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us” and single “What He’ll Never Have,” already amassing over 300 million streams.