This is a place for Ben Merritt to share with the FM area all that’s going on in his head. The good, the bad, the ugly and the phenomenal.
Country Beats Weekly 4-15-2024
ERNEST's sophomore album, hasn't left any stone - or collaborator - unturned. Released Friday, his "Nashville, Tennessee" includes some of the high-powered, uber talented friends he's made over his years in Music City. Along with the previously released "I Went To College/I Went To Jail" with Jelly ...
Apr 15, 2024
Country Beats Weekly 4-8-24
Country superstar Jason Aldean is lending his support to fellow songwriter John Morgan's latest track, "Friends Like That." Morgan, a seasoned songwriter with hits for artists like Jon Pardi, Dustin Lynch, and Thomas Rhett, now has the chance to not only showcase his song but also his own voice on country rad...
Apr 08, 2024
Country Beats Weekly 4-1-24
Every once in a while, the universe aligns just right, and from the unlikeliest of setups, musical alchemy occurs. Enter Brent Cobb, a singer with a Georgian twang and a group of buddies, who turned a casual couch warming for a studio session into a soulful serenade worth every second. Their rendition of "Call Me ...
Apr 01, 2024
Country Beats Weekly 3-25-24
Not even 48 hours after he was on stage in Grand Forks, Sam Hunt has released his new single and video "Locked Up." While the song seems to be autobiographical, the video is straight-up historical, with Hunt and wife Hannah Lee Fowler re-enacting Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash as they appeared at Folsom Sta...
Mar 25, 2024
Lily Rose Shocks Fans with Two New Tracks - Says New EP Is Peak Honesty
Just when you thought your playlist was safe, Lily Rose comes out of left field with not one, but two surprise tracks that'll have you reshuffling your current favorites. These tunes are not just appetizers; they're the amuse-bouche ahead of her main dish, the highly anticipated EP 'Runnin' Outta Time'. Lily didn't jus...
Mar 22, 2024
Country Meets Contemporary Christian: "Checking In" on Heartstrings and Phone Calls
In a narrative that could easily be the opening verse of a heartfelt country ballad, the backstory of "Checking In," the moving collaboration between contemporary Christian duo for King + Country and country star Lee Brice, is nothing short of remarkable. It's a tale that tugs at the heartstrings and speaks t...
Mar 21, 2024
Strait to the Top: George Reigns With His 'Ocean Front Property'
Hop in the time machine and dust off your cowboy boots because we're traveling back 37 years to an era when George Strait was king of the country hill with 'Ocean Front Property.' Strait's 7th studio album was a chart-topping marvel, serenading fans with its debut at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. With s...
Mar 13, 2024
Country Beats Weekly 3-11-24
Welcome to "Country Beats Weekly," your NEW go-to destination for the latest and greatest in the world of country music! As the weekend dust settles and a new week begins, we're here to bring you a roundup of the newest country tunes that hit the internet over the past few days. Whether you're a die-hard coun...
Mar 11, 2024
Here Comes the Bride: Gary Allan Ties the Knot in Spur-of-the-Moment 'I Do'!
Hold onto your hats, because Gary Allan just took the ultimate leap of love in a spontaneous fashion that even a Vegas wedding chapel might admire. That's right, this country crooner didn't need a fancy stage or elaborate plans to make things official with his lady love, Molly Martin. The two lovebirds apparently swoon...
Mar 06, 2024
From Fast Food to Furry Friends: Delivery Driver Finds Forever Love at Animal Shelter
You've heard of "dinner and a movie," but what about "lunch and a lifelong companion?" That's exactly what rolled onto Alan Moncayo's plate when he pulled up for a routine GrubHub delivery at the Fairfax animal shelter in Lorton, Virginia. Instead of leaving with a few dollars in his pocket, he foun...
Mar 05, 2024