King, Smith, Josh Abbott Band release new music

Nashville native Conner Smith is out with his debut disc today, "Smoky Mountains," (The Valory Group). Smith has a hit on his hands with the single "Creek Will Rise," one of 13 songs on the release. Smith had a hand in writing all of the songs. He also had a GOLD single with "Take It Slow" and gained attention with the song "I Hate Alabama."

Fulfilling a lifelong dream that began back in a college band in his 20s, singer/actor Charles Esten debuts with his independent album, "Love Ain't Pretty." Esten was in the TV series "Nashville." Esten co-wrote all 14 songs with acoustic guitar credits on the Marshall Altman-produced disc.

Veteran Texas group Josh Abbott Band releases their seventh studio LP Somewhere Down The Road via their Pretty Damn Tough label. Produced by Dwight A. Baker (Flatland Cavalry), the new album is their first full-length since 2020 and is the first featuring a newly reconfigured lineup. Recorded at Baker's Matchbox Studios in Austin, the album features longtime members Eddie Villanueva (drums), Austin Davis (banjo), David Fralin (keys) and Jimmy Hartman (bass) as well as recent additions Adam Hill (fiddle) and guitarists Cale Richardson and Kris Farrow. The release was written and recorded after their initial followup to 2020's "The Highway Kind" was scrapped.

Chase McDaniel debuts with "Blame It All On Country Music" on Big Machine Records. The six-track EP includes previously released tracks and two new tracks including "Somebody Like Me," all of which were co-written by McDaniel. He was born in Greensburg, Ky.