New country music for March

One of my favorite things is listening to new music. I don't know what it is but there's something about hearing that next great song or an up-and-coming new artist that really hits me. So I'm going to try and share some new music monthly with a Spotify playlist, highlighting new singles by bigger acts as well as new artists making noise. Here's March's list:

"Jump Right In" - Zac Brown Band: Seems like a fitting place to start. I'm sure a lot of people have already heard "Jump Right In" on local radio and if not I'd guess you will soon. Another great song by one of the best bands on the country music scene today.

"All Over The Road" - Easton Corbin: Corbin had a smash summer song a few years back with "Roll With It" and he's back in the summer sing-along driver's seat with "All Over The Road." Already starting to get some solid radio airplay.

"Fill In The Blank" - Greg Bates: A solid second offering from the "Did It For The Girl" singer. Another fun summer song, Bates suggests various venues to take his girl (presumably the one he did it for) and let's her pick the activity.

"Pretty Little Lie" - Blackberry Smoke: Thousands of lucky Zac Brown Band fans got to see Blackberry Smoke open ZBB's Carrier Dome show last fall and "Pretty Little Lie" is their current single. Not sure how much country airplay it will get but it's definitely worth a listen if you're into southern rock.

"Sleepy Little Town" - J.T. Hodges: Hodges has had a couple of charting singles with "Hunt You Down" and "Goodbyes Made You Mine." "Sleepy Little Town" is a change of pace, highlighting how quickly skeletons can be dragged out of closets in small towns.

"Lips" - Aaron Watson - Watson's been around the Texas music scene for a while but "Lips" is the first I've heard of him. He made a good first impression on me but I don't see "Lips" getting much play around here. Doesn't mean you shouldn't check it out.

"Only God Can Love You More" - Jerrod Niemann: Probably the most powerful song Niemann's recorded to date, "Only God Can Love You More" isn't exactly what the title implies. Niemann nails every note and hopefully this is the song that launches his career to another level.

"Runnin' Outta Moonlight" - Randy Houser: Speaking of launching careers, Randy Houser may have had that song with "How Country Feels." Now it's time to see if he can keep his momentum going. "Runnin' Outta Moonlight" could do the trick, but it will have to compete with summer songs from some of country's heavy hitters. Fortunately, Houser has the chops to do it.

"Anywhere With You" - Jake Owen: Jake Owen is definitely becoming one of those heavy hitters and he brings the lumber with "Anywhere With You." One of my favorite songs on his "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" album, Owen lays it on thick with lines like "as long as I'm where you're at I'm gonna have a real good view" and it definitely works. Great song.

"If You Want Some" - Joel Crouse: Crouse does a great job on his debut single, a fun, flirty number about a girl at a summer party.

"Better I Don't" - Chris Janson: Just when you thought this list was starting to get redundant Janson comes along and passes on his buddies' good-time country fun, insisting it's "Better I Don't." I've got a hunch he's gonna anyways.

"Beat This Summer" - Brad Paisley: Spring hasn't even started yet and already Brad's wistfully looking back on the end of summer, so it seems like a perfect ending to the playlist. Brad has another hit on his hand, despite thanks in large part to the unique sound of the track. You can feel the transition of the seasons throughout the song, starting in the heat of the summer while the end feels like you're just seeing the echoes of how great it was. Masterful work.