NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Eric Paslay

By Bob Doerschuk

© 2014 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.

Eric Paslay’s story is familiar, from his upbringing in Waco and Temple through his gigs on the Lone Star circuit and inevitable move to Nashville.

Eventually hired by Cal IV Publishing, the tall Texas redhead penned several hits. He won CMA’s coveted Triple Play Award for writing or co-writing three songs that hit No. 1 in 2012: “Angel Eyes,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” which also was honored as ASCAP’s Country Song of the Year. Impressive, but not unique … yet.

The epiphany comes with his self-titled inaugural album, released Feb. 4 on EMI Records Nashville. Produced by Marshall Altman and Daniel Hill/Billy Lynn, its 11 tracks reflect the strength of this young artist’s work. Compositionally, he cultivates simplicity. Many of his verses cycle just three or even two chords. “Country Side of Heaven” (Paslay, Dylan Altman and Shane McAnally) hangs entirely on the I and V. But on that track, Paslay’s organic dynamics, his inspiring vocals and especially his ability to conjure compelling images enrich both his sound and his story.

Though all his songs are beautifully crafted, one may qualify as a masterpiece. Caressed by a sensitive arrangement, Paslay’s aching vocal and evocative lyrics on “She Don’t Love You” (Paslay and Jennifer Wayne) build on the title (“… she’s just lonely”) to cast a spell that doesn’t resolve until literally the last word. This is supreme writing and execution, by any measure.

For more on Eric Paslay, visit www.CMACloseUp.com.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

DREAM DUET PARTNER

“I’ve had the wild fortune of singing with some awesome icons so far (Sheryl Crow, Amy Grant). I’d love to sing with Dolly, Emmylou and Bono … the list could keep growing!”

BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND

“The Bible.” 

ALBUMS IN YOUR PLAYLIST

“U2’s Greatest Hits, Kenny Rogers’ You Can’t Make Old Friends, Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto and Emmylou Harris’s Wrecking Ball.”

SONG YOU WISH YOU’D WRITTEN

“‘What a Wonderful World.’”

MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE YOU’D LIKE TO RELIVE

“Christmas with my whole family as a child.”

FAVORITE FOOD ON THE ROAD

“Catering, because it’s free!”

FAVORITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

“Teleportation.”

On the Web: www.EricPaslay.com

On Twitter: @EricPaslay

BRANTLEY GILBERT KICKS IT IN HIGH GEAR WITH NEW MUSIC AND TOUR   New Single “Bottoms Up” Officially Hits Country Radio Today   LET IT RIDE TOUR Begins 3/27 with Special Guests Thomas Rhett and Eric Paslay   Photo Credit: James Minchin   NASHVILLE, TN (January 13, 2013) – Brantley Gilbert is kicking off 2014 in high gear with new music and a headline tour. Impacting Country radio today, "Bottoms Up" is the first new music the Georgia native has produced for his loyal BG Nation fans in over four years. The lead single from Brantley's forthcoming album on The Valory Music Co. was made available in late December and quickly shot up the iTunes charts peaking at #1 on the Country Singles Chart and #8 All Genres. Coinciding with the single release, fans were also able to purchase the accompanying video, which was shot in Nashville and flashes from 1930’s vintage to modern day party scenes. Directed by CMA Award-winning Shane Drake, the video has already garnered over 1.2 million views on VEVO. Watch here. The Country rocker will preview additional new material during his 22-city LET IT RIDE TOUR, beginning 3/27 with special guests Thomas Rhett and Eric Paslay. During Brantley’s second headlining tour, which makes stops at arenas across the country, fans can also expect to hear the GOLD-certified #1 hits, “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” “I’m really excited to get this new music out the fans! The response from the BG Nation has blown me away. They always come out in full force,” said Brantley. “Can’t wait to see the reaction we get on the road.” To help make the announcement, Brantley called on the BG Nation to use the hashtag #LETITRIDETOUR on Instagram to post photos and videos expressing excitement about the tour, and finding creative ways to announce their hometown's tour date or the stop closest to them.  More information on the promotion and a gallery of fan-submitted content is available at www.brantleygilbert.com. LET IT RIDE TOUR Dates: 3/27                              LaCrosse, WI – LaCrosse Center 3/28                              Bloomington, IL – US Cellular Coliseum 3/29                              Corinth, MS. – Crossroads Arena 4/10                              Greensboro, NC – Coliseum 4/11                              Tuscaloosa, AL – Tuscaloosa Amphitheater 4/12                              Bossier City, LA – CenturyLink Center 4/17                              Macon, GA – Centreplex 4/18                              Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center 4/19                              Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena 4/24                              Stockton, CA – Stockton Arena 4/25                             Indio, CA -- Stagecoach 4/26                              Pozo, CA  -- Pozo Saloon ** 5/1                                Springfield, MO – JQH Arena 5/2                                Evansville, IN – The Ford Center 5/3                                Live Oak, FL – Suwannee River Jam* ** 5/8                                Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena 5/9                                Charleston, WV – Civic Center 5/10                              Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena ** 5/15                              Omaha, NE – CenturyLink Center 5/16                              Sioux Falls, SD – Sioux Falls Arena 5/17                              Wichita, KS -- INTRUST Bank Arena 5/18                              Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre * Not including Eric Paslay ** Not including Thomas Rhett          # # # About Thomas Rhett: Watching father Rhett Akins work as an artist and hit songwriter, music has always been a part of 23-year-old Thomas Rhett’s life. The Valdosta, GA, native spent his high school years dabbling in songwriting and playing in a band with friends. Thomas Rhett signed his first publishing deal with EMI while still a student at Lipscomb University in Nashville, and shortly thereafter, signed a record deal with The Valory Music Co. The talented singer has scored two Top 15 hits – the poignant “Beer With Jesus” and debut single “Something To Do With My Hands” – both of which are on his debut album, IT GOES LIKE THIS, out now. The project also features Thomas Rhett's new single, “Get Me Some Of That,” as well as the multi-week #1, “It Goes Like This,” which has been certified PLATINUM for sales of over 1 million downloads. With his first-time #1 holding the top spot for three weeks on the Billboard Country Singles Chart, Thomas Rhett ties Miranda Lambert for the record set three years ago with "The House That Built Me. As a gifted songwriter, he has penned Florida Georgia Line’s two-week #1 “Round Here” and two Jason Aldean cuts, including the Top 15 smash “1994.” He recently wrapped his opening slot on Aldean’s NIGHT TRAIN TOUR and was a part of the first-ever Country concert at Fenway Park in Boston. He has made national television appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, The Queen Latifah Show and FOX’s American Country Awards. For tour dates and more visit: www.thomasrhett.com. About Eric Paslay: EMI Records Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay will release his self-titled debut album on February 4. The album features his Top 10 single “Friday Night” which was chosen by ESPN for use in their weekly ESPN College Football Primetime broadcasts this past fall.  In the last year, Eric has co-penned three #1s singles including "Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band), “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen) and “Angel Eyes” (Love & Theft). Paslay was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song, for ACM Song Of The Year and CMA Song Of The Year for his hit "Even If It Breaks Your Heart."