Music Notes: Craig Morgan, Dierks Bentley, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Gosset, Green & More

Country Music & Entertainment News From Hook & Barrel Magazine

Craig Morgan Performs National Anthem Ahead of White Sox and Yankees Home Openers

Chicago White Sox and New York Yankee baseball fans were treated to country music star and Army Reserve soldier Craig Morgan singing the national anthem for the respective team’s opening games. Morgan, a newly appointed Warrant Officer 1 who has served 17 years in the Army and Army Reserve, performed the anthem in full uniform to kick off each team’s season. 

Morgan continues to tour and release new music, including his latest six-track release, “Enlisted,” featuring new takes on four of his biggest hits. He may have just wrapped his 2023 tour, but you can still catch him on the road throughout 2024. More info: craigmorgan.com/welcome 

Dierks Bentley Premiers Cover of “American Girl” with Help From Petty Himself

Dierks Bently debuted his music video cover of Tom Petty’s American Girl, borrowing Tom Petty’s signature Rickenbacker guitar for the video. The guitar was flown in from Petty’s archives in California for the video that first premiered on CMT on March 21. 

Bentley’s tribute is the lead single on Big Machine Records’ Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty. Watch here:

Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton Release “Purple Irises”

Also making waves in country music news is power couple and musical icons Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton. They're at it again with the release of “Purple Irises,” marking another collaboration between the couple. 

“Purple Irises is a song that comes from the idea that when you plant something you are planting hope and watching love grow,” says Stefani. “Weathering all the different seasons of growth. We are in this together, we planted the seeds together and we are growing together.”

The song is available now at all digital retailers. Listen here: blakeshelton.komi.io

Dylan Gossett Releases “Songs in the Gravel”

Currently on the road of the sold-out “No Better Time” North American tour, singer, and songwriter Dylan Gossett, released his new 4-track EP titled “Songs in the Gravel” on March 22. 

The EP is a split of the latest singles (“Somewhere Between” and “Bitter Winds”) and new tracks (“If I Had a Lover” and “Finally Stop Dreaming”), all of which Gossett himself wrote. 

“It was really important for me to get my new EP ‘Songs of the Gravel’ out as soon as possible for this first headline tour,” Gossett said. “The cover art and the EP are super special to me because this is where my massive love for music grew: with my feet in the gravel at my family's lake house, just singing around the campfire with family and friends.”

Give it a listen and check out upcoming tour dates: dylangossett.com

Riley Green Releases “Way Out There”

As if playing to packed arenas on his headlining tour and clinching a third No. 1 single on country radio was not enough, Riley Green just released the new EP, “Way Out There” on April 12, 2024.

“We’ve been playing these new songs on the road and wanted to get them to the fans as soon as possible,” Green said. “I’m always working on new music and have more coming throughout the year.” 

If you have seen him on the road, you might be excited to see his cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City,” made the cut. In addition, “Worst Way,” written by Green, showcases a softer side of the country singer and gives a nice balance to the EP. 

You can catch Green on the “Ain’t My Last Rodeo” tour. More info here: rileygreenmusic.com

Hixtape Vol. 3, “Difftape” Released

The third iteration of what has come to be an iconic country collaboration album hit the airwaves on March 29 as a tribute to country music legend Joe Diffie, titled “Difftape.”

The album, released in conjunction with the Diffie estate on the fourth anniversary of his passing, features never-before-heard recordings and collaborations with Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Post Malone, Toby Keith, Luke Combs and so many more, including Diffie’s son Parker. 

“It is both an honor and a humbling experience to have been asked to participate in this extraordinary project," Parker shares. "As someone who had the profound privilege of performing alongside my father, it fills my heart with immense joy to witness his enduring legacy continued with the same passion and fervor that he embodied.”

More info on Hixtape here: hixtape.com

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