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Ross Flora Releases Generational Single “Creek Ran Red”

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Ross Flora, an Americana soulful songwriter with a rock ‘n roll charisma, releases his self-written and self-produced single “Creek Ran Red” ahead of his upcoming EP As The Crow Flies, releasing this fall. The single is about the profound part of local history that took place in Ross’ hometown of Virginia during the prohibition era. Passed down from Ross’ father, this story adds a sense of significance, making it a unique connection. Ross encapsulates the voice of a performer that expresses the character of someone’s life through “Creek Ran Red.”

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Through his storytelling soul, Ross says, “‘Creek Ran Red’ is about a legendary standoff that happened just southwest of my hometown during the prohibition era between a bootlegging outfit and the feds. My dad told me the story as a kid, and it always seemed like such a profound piece of our local history, like our own OK Corral just a few miles down the road. If you’ve ever seen the movie Lawless, it’s based on the same story.

A story passed on by Ross’ dad about the defiant and rebellious spirit that characterizes country music is often drawn from inspiration and real-life events. The Prohibition era, with its outlawed alcohol and the rise of bootleggers, is a rich source of material for country music singers and songwriters. “I wrote ‘Creek Ran Red’ to pass on a story as it was told to me. I’m not the first or the last to write a song about bootlegging, but I tried to put myself and the listener in the character’s place. A good man that has been living on a razor’s edge just to provide, knowing that the laws of man have caught up to him, not asking God to intervene, but just asking for heaven not to watch what must be done in his final acts,” adds Ross.

As a roots-driven artist, Ross is able to empathetically capture the history that has influenced country music. As a songwriter, he is among some of his musical influences, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings, who used the word outlaw in country music due to the struggles of people turning to bootlegging as a means of survival and income.

Ross says, “The first time I heard the words ‘they said that the creek ran red’ from my dad, it was obviously shocking. I grew up in church and went to a Christian school, so the story of what happened there almost seemed like some apocalyptic plague; the pointless loss of life over greed and a prohibition law that lasted all of 13 years seems like such an earthly failure that, to me, certainly fits the bill for one.”

Country music frequently draws from cultural experiences and places an emphasis on personal stories. For Ross, “The little one-lane back road that runs beside that creek is one of my dad and I’s favorite motorcycle routes, and riding through that beautiful stretch knowing the story will raise the hair on your neck.”

“Creek Ran Red” reflects on the desperation and challenges faced by Appalachian culture. “So much of what people know about that side of Appalachian culture is glamorized and nearly pure fiction; I wanted to write about a real story. While a few people ended up wealthy from making and running Moonshine, for most, it was a last resort just to survive and the only option to keep their families fed. The saying ‘folks too poor to feel the Great Depression’ was absolutely true in Appalachia at that time. My grandpa is rolling over in his grave, knowing I wrote a song about bootlegging, but my family line was lucky enough to have a few chickens and a garden during that time and were able to scrape by when so many weren’t,” says Ross.

Ross skillfully blends different genres of music in his songwriting and self-production, resulting in his unique and distinct sound. He recently played the NXNE Music Festival in Toronto, Canada, and is set to play the Songwriter Showcase Writers Block on Tuesday, September 5th, at the 5 Spot in Nashville at 7:30 p.m. CST. On Sunday, November 11th, he will be a featured artist for the Music City Cares Benefit Show, which is the biggest Veterans Day celebration in the country.

STREAM HERE

To connect with Ross Flora, please visit:

 Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

For more information, contact Dead Horse Branding at the following:

Danielle Reiss

Dead Horse Branding 

creative@deadhb.com 

Phone: (949) 421 9787

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About Ross Flora

Ross Flora is a seasoned, multifaceted singer and musician out of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Growing up just south of Roanoke, he was surrounded by strong influences in both R&B and Bluegrass. When asked what his first musical memories were, he said, “My dad would stand me up on the back of a church pew and teach me harmony parts with the congregation.” When Ross was 12, his dad came home to find him playing along to a Van Halen CD and went to sign him up for guitar lessons that day. By his teenage years, Ross began performing at various venues and festivals throughout the South Atlantic. At the age of 19, he started playing guitar and singing with “The Kings” in Roanoke, Virginia. In 2012, Ross moved from the family farm to pursue a career in Nashville, Tennessee. Once in Nashville, he was able to build a strong audience base as a solo artist and began touring full-time as a lead guitarist and vocalist, performing with acts such as “Johnny T” Band and “Smoke n’ Guns” around the nation. Ross has performed over 4,000 shows since moving to Nashville, all while writing and producing his own music.

Ross’ songs emulate the tasteful guitar parts and bold emotional lyrics of the southern rock genre. His sound reflects his lifelong influences, including Gregg Allman, Duane Allman, Chris Cornell, and Ian Thornley. As an English major, he utilizes the themes of all his favorite authors, including Dickinson, Thoreau, and Whitman, in his musical writing. Ross’ music shares stories from his rural roots to life on the road.

In 2022, Ross released his first debut single ‘Cannonball’ to overwhelming reviews from the southern rock and outlaw country communities, naming him “The Golden Age of Rock n’ Roll featuring a Southern Flare”. Following his single in July 2022, Ross released his first EP, Shoulders of Giants. The EP made headlines alongside Morgan Wade in the Roanoke Times as two Virginia natives making waves in Nashville. In March 2023 Ross released his project with world renowned Blackbird Studios, ‘Part of Me’. Ross continues to play across the USA as a solo artist, and keeps a Nashville residency at multiple venues.

About Dead Horse Branding

Dead Horse Branding is an award-winning public relations, management, and branding agency with headquarters in both Nashville, TN, and Sydney, Australia. Dead Horse Branding creates, designs, and refines each component of a brand, ensuring that the brand will always hit the right chord on every level. Dead Horse Branding’s business model is a cutting-edge management and branding service all-in-house that spans multiple industries, including music, fashion, design, business, culinary, entertainment, fitness, and more. There are seven primary formulas for branding, and Dead Horse does them all under one roof, making them a very competitive branding agency.

Branding is an identity developed through our DH7 branding formula, which includes strategic planning, logo and image design, photography and visual assets, website design, marketing and social media, publicity, licensing, and distribution. Dead Horse Branding’s brand-building technique has been implemented into the education system in the USA and Australia. Rick Caballo and Melissa Core-Caballo were instrumental in helping to lead Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business program (MEBUS) as one of the top curriculums ranked by Billboard Magazine in 2022.

Iconic Music Producer Tony Brown, CHINGY, Bo Diddley Estate, HENDRIX Music Academy, Grammy Winning Mark O’Connor Band, Baha Men, LOVING MARY (Steven Tyler’s solo band), Cyndi Lauper, Buck Johnson (Hollywood Vampires & Aerosmith), Hachette Book Group, Simon and Schuster, Universal Music Group, MTSU, Sony Music, ACPI Group, Interior Designer Kathy Anderson, Gigi Butler of Gigi Cupcakes, TEDx, NAMM, Songwriting University, Marc Jordan, Jayne Denham, Average Joes Entertainment, Music Expo, the Joel A. Katz MEBUS Program, The Today Show, Lionsgate, and Hallmark are some of the brands with which we have had the pleasure of working within the USA and internationally.

Visit deadhorsebranding.com for more information!

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Ross Flora releases generational single “Creek Ran Red.”

Ross Flora, an Americana soulful songwriter with a rock ‘n roll charisma, releases his self-written and self-produced single “Creek Ran Red” ahead of his upcoming EP releasing this fall.

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Americana Artist Charlotte Morris Releases New Single “Tennessee”

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Country music singer/songwriter and recording artist Charlotte Morris recently released her heartfelt new single called “Tennessee.” You can listen to the song HERE!

With charming lyrics like chasing muddy waters where the Smokies meet their end, spending nights wrapped up in pretend, “Tennessee” reminisces on summer nights and a lost love.

“I wrote Tennessee a few months after moving to Nashville in 2021,” Charlotte recalls. “I was totally infatuated with the city, and the summer was a whirlwind of sunny days, first dates, lake swims, long hikes… basically living in a bit of a fantasy land – summer camp for adults. But as I started to settle in, I also started to snap back to reality. I had moved here for a reason; plus, I’m a real adult now (yikes!) and have responsibilities.

I think that the pairing of whimsy and realism create a sense of nostalgia that is almost tangible throughout the song. We all have those days that, 50 years from now, we’ll look back on and smile. The people might not still be around; maybe you’ve moved; maybe your life looks completely different. But those days shaped you, and gave you life. For me, those days will always include my first summer in Tennessee. Those carefree days were fleeting, but they paved the way for me to build a stable life in this city that will always hold a place in my heart. The song will always serve as a reminder of that.”

With the recent legislative action happening in Tennessee, Charlotte wants to encourage all listeners to donate to the ACLU’s Support the Drag Defense Fund, a campaign that champions drag performers and the LGBTQ+ community. Whether through song or through drag, all artists should have the right to perform their craft.

About Charlotte Morris:
Charlotte Morris is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter whose music showcases a unique blend of Americana, Folk, Pop and Country music. From her lilting folk ballads to her rock anthems for a new generation, Charlotte displays a wide aptitude for various styles. She draws inspiration from many of her favorite artists including Delta Rae, Brandi Carlile, Sara Bareilles, and Liz Longely, as well as folk legends like Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, and Joni Mitchell. Her songs, which are mostly auto-biographical, also reflect her years in the theatre, with nuances and lyrical storytelling akin to musical theatre writing. Described as “the love-child of Judy Collins, deftly playing her violin, guitar and our heartstrings,” Charlotte’s music and heartfelt on-stage presence bring audience members along for the emotional ride.

Charlotte released her debut EP To New York, With Love in June 2018, which received recognition from newspapers, music blogs, and playlists worldwide. Since then, Charlotte has released a number of singles, including 2 “quarantunes” about the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a 5 song EP, Sputnik, produced by Nashville-based, Mitch Dane. In Spring 2019, Charlotte embarked on her first solo tour, performing in 15+ cities across the country including Nashville, Austin, and NYC. At the end of 2020, Charlotte released her first full length album, Songs for My Next Ex – an 8-part “story album” that, when listened to from top to bottom, takes listeners through the highs and lows of a tumultuous, yet transformative relationship.

After almost a two-year hiatus, Charlotte released her single “Good Kind of Hurt,” produced by Will Gawley of Charlotte Avenue Entertainment, on June 10, 2022. She followed up with “Tennessee,” which she released on March 24, 2023.

For more information, visit www.charlottemorrismusic.com and connect with Charlotte on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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Austin-based singer/songwriter Danny Golden’s Indie Rock Album “Being There” Released

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Austin-based singer/songwriter Danny Golden announced today his new indie rock album, titled “Being There,” that is set to release on Friday, May 5, 2023. Coinciding with the album announcement, Golden has simultaneously released two singles off the LP, “Orion” and “Do You Really Wanna Do It?” as well as an animated music video for “Orion.”

Danny Golden is a singer/songwriter based in Austin, Texas. Golden’s career has been one of reinvention and he believes the songwriter’s job is to investigate the depths of emotions and bring some meaning back to the surface through music. After completing his college thesis in 2015 – a collection of re-arranged and performed Bach compositions on bluegrass instruments – he set his sights on Austin to become a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and multigenre artist. Since then, he has toured nationally with his band and performed alongside artists such as David Ramirez and Matthew Logan Vasquez (of Delta Spirit), and has been featured in Billboard, Under The Radar, mxdwn and more.

The album, recorded with producer Jason Burt, also known as Electrophunck (producer for Leon Bridges, John Mayer, Paul Cauthen and more), was born out of spontaneity and no restrictions. That approach informs the record, which is tied together by compositional strength and stellar performances. Throughout the album, you’ll hear flavors of indie rock, Americana, a pure experimental and transcendental layering of sounds, a fusion of styles from past and present. The album also includes backing from friends: Nik Lee from Texas Gentlemen, Spice & Uncle Roy of Sir Woman, Amber Baker (drummer for Jon Batiste) and more.

“This album is unlike anything I have ever recorded or created before which is really exciting,” said Danny Golden. “It was created in a free-spirited way and I honestly believe that this album and its songs are as much the listeners as they are mine. I want to thank Jason Burt who created ‘Being There’ with me, starting at the most cellular level, and to the many other friends who made this the album it turned out to be.”

Regarding the first two singles, “Orion” serves as the entry point that transports you into Golden’s sonic universe and takes listeners into flight, while the sounds of “Do You Really Wanna Do It?” land back on solid ground of vintage rock and roll.

“Being There” Tracklist

  1. “Orion”

  2. “Do You Really Wanna Do It?”

  3. “22 Tango”

  4. “4 Agreements”

  5. “Missing Pieces”

  6. “Tom and Becky”

  7. “Runnin’”

  8. “Insane”

  9. “Songbird”

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Juliana Riccardi Unplugs From the World With “Off The Map”

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Americana singer-songwriter Juliana Riccardi has released her latest single, “Off The Map,” an acoustic anthem about the visceral desire to unplug from the bustle of daily life and go out and explore. Riccardi sets the tone for listeners to head out on a springtime drive with the windows down and see where the road takes you. The song’s delicate and sparse opening grows into an emotionally driven landscape with building layers of rhythm, harmony, and power resulting in a cinematic story. “Off The Map” is the final chapter of her two-song series, The Nashville Session. The song is available to stream and download now on all digital platforms.

Chasing her distinctive Americana sound, Juliana Riccardi tinges “Off The Map” with folk influences, which, accompanied by quintessential warm, soulful vocals, create a whimsical song that leaves you aching for change. The song’s playful nature reflects on the wish to switch off devices and pause the draining go-go-go mentality of everyday life in favor of reconnecting with ourselves and what makes us happy. A veiled, delicate nostalgia emerges, which Riccardi recalls through her childhood, in a melodic beat over acoustic riffs and percussion whose encouragement shakes listeners away from the vicious cycles of modern life. Reminiscing on simple, small moments of gratitude and connection with ourselves and with nature, the song is a reminder of the blissful moments of finding fulfillment in mindful, grounding gestures. “Off The Map’s” whimsical, dreamy nature is anything but unrealistic or distant: instead, it is a reminder of how unplugging can be as simple as going for a walk, asking questions like, “When was the last time you walked in the rain? Listened to the birds and their sweet serenade?” encouraging listeners to reconnect with their inner child and letting go of everyday pressure.

“I used to run in thunderstorms with my sister as a kid. We felt alive and genuinely happy to be outside – even in the rain,” explains Juliana Riccardi. “Today, we’re too busy to go for a walk! In my (conscious) adult life, it’s become a commitment of mine to balance work with more play, to enjoy the freedom of getting offline, going outside, and experiencing the present moment.”  The single serves as a reminder that so much of our daily anxieties disappear with a digital detox. Plugging off from the rest of the world, the track effortlessly reconnects us to our true selves.

Blooming out of a time of change and embracing the thrills of new, fresh experiences, “Off The Map” is the second half of Juliana Riccardi’s The Nashville Session recordings, a project born out of what she defined as a ‘perfect mixture of risk and preparation.’ The 2-song series began with “Right On Time,” which received praise from champions like Billboard, Americana UK, and Rock & Blues Muse. Recorded mostly live across an eye-opening, three-day trip bustling with creativity which gave Riccardi a groundbreaking studio vocal performance, she reflects that “Nashville was new to me, but I had a feeling of home there during those three days. It was a big risk going there with all the ‘firsts’ happening at once, but they aligned.” Co-produced and mixed by Nick Bullock, a producer-engineer from Neal Capellino’s The Doghouse Studio (Dolly Parton, Allison Kraus, Sheryl Crow), the single features Lauren Stockner on bass and Grammy-award winner Will Hensley on guitar and piano. Hensley, known for his engineering and mixing work with artists like John Mayer, Mat Kearny, Coldplay, and Gavin Degraw, also arranged and co-produced the track alongside Riccardi, Stockner, and Bullock.

Juliana Riccardi proudly walks in her ever-evolving journey as an artist and woman– one that’s taken the New York City native to Los Angeles, where she began turning heads and bending ears. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Vocal Performance from the City College of New York in Harlem and has over a decade of lead performance experience– all of which lay the groundwork for her evocative songwriting and stage presence. After some deep losses and soul searching, Riccardi found a new outlet for her voice through a stunning live band, releasing her noteworthy studio recordings and continuing her love for spontaneity on some of LA’s best original music stages. Her music has earned praise from champions like CMT, Americana Highways, DittyTV, New Scene Magazine, and several radio shows. Her music has been featured on countless playlists, including the Spotify official playlist “Healin Blues.”

“Off The Map” is a breath of fresh air in a moment of time in which the hustle and bustle become so overwhelming we lose track of ourselves. Juliana Riccardi’s folky, comforting tune draws herself and her listeners back to a state of placid joy and fulfillment. To keep up with Juliana Riccardi’s journey, follow her Instagram and TikTok @JulianaRiccardiSongs or visit her website JulianaRiccardi.com.

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Ross Flora Collaborates With Blackbird Studio For New Project “Part Of Me”

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Producer, songwriter, and performer Ross Flora, known for the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll featuring a southern Americana flare, debuts his first collaboration project, “Part of Me,” with world-renowned Blackbird Studio. Recorded in Nashville at John and Martina McBride’s Blackbird Studio, the two-song release “Last Part of Me” and “Get It Right” explore the various American music styles, including country, roots-rock, and folk, resulting in distinctive rural sounds.

STREAM HERE

With the help of the students at The Blackbird Academy, Ross’ new project features unique and bold soundscapes, each catering to a different style and tempo. “‘Last Part of Me” is a song I wrote around the time I moved to Nashville. To me, it’s about the point after a breakup where the heartache starts to fade, but that pain is your only interaction with that person anymore, so you hold on to it as best you can.”

Ross says, “These two songs, “Last Part of Me” and “Get It Right,” are some that I wrote earlier in my career. Originally, I was working to get these on my 2022 summer EP release of Shoulders of Giants, but the timing of the opportunity to record them in Blackbird Studio meant they would have to be released later on. Ultimately, I couldn’t be happier that the decision was made to put them out as their own project.”

Ross’ catalog expands to include styles that have influenced him throughout his career. Particularly, Ross’ father, Millard Flora, who is also a musician, got to be in the studio as he continues to influence Ross’ musical performance and songwriting. Millard says, “As Ross has gained life experiences, this project shows that he is more aware of the forces that got him here — spiritual, cognitive, and social interactions that make him the man that he is today. On this project, all of those influences are reflected in his songwriting.”

Inside the prestigious recording studio, Ross and the students of the academy were able to record and bring these songs to life. The mentor-driven and hands-on education at The Blackbird Academy for Angela Gonzales was one she won’t take for granted. Angela says, “Working with Ross Flora at Blackbird Studio was a dream. An artist I love, in an amazing studio, capturing songs I believe in. I felt fortunate to just be behind that console and witness the moments. The electricity between Ross, the band, and even having his father, Millard Flora, on the B3, was just so special. Ross gives his heart to every show he plays, to every song he writes, and to every person he interacts with.”

The sparks of musical inspiration that exist within The Blackbird Academy coexist with the passion for music education that lives inside the studio. Many greats of country music have walked the halls and cut hit records at the academy, with Ross being among them to get the opportunity to record his project there. “The time spent recording these songs at Blackbird Studio with my dad and closest friends will easily go down as one of the best moments and milestones of my life. And finally hearing them on tape, mixing them, and sending them off to be released was such a weight lifted from me,” adds Ross.

In these two new singles, you are able to hear Ross take on new sounds and even include some R&B. “‘Get it Right” is a saying I remind myself of all the time — If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. In this case, it’s focused on a relationship that has had its issues, but the character has finally made a commitment to change, stop making cliche and selfish mistakes that lead to more and more bad decisions,” says Ross.

Throughout Flora’s career, he has performed as a lead guitarist and vocalist with the Johnny T band, opening for Love and Theft, and was also the lead guitarist and vocalist with Smoke n’ Guns, opening for Blackberry Smoke and Dustin Lynch. Ross continues to play weekly gigs in Nashville as a solo artist, having performed over 4,000 shows while also writing and producing his own music. Most recently he released his debut EP, Shoulders of Giants, which made headlines alongside Morgan Wade in the Roanoke Times as two Virginia natives making waves in Nashville.

STREAM HERE

To connect with Ross, please visit:

 Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

About Ross Flora

Ross Flora is a seasoned, multifaceted singer and musician out of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Growing up just south of Roanoke, he was surrounded by strong influences in both R&B and Bluegrass. When asked what his first musical memories were, he said, “My dad would stand me up on the back of a church pew and teach me harmony parts with the congregation.” When Ross was 12, his dad came home to find him playing along to a Van Halen CD and went to sign him up for guitar lessons that day. By his teenage years, Ross began performing at various venues and festivals throughout the South Atlantic. At the age of 19, he started playing guitar and singing with “The Kings” in Roanoke, Virginia. In 2012, Ross moved from the family farm to pursue a career in Nashville, Tennessee. Once in Nashville, he was able to build a strong audience base as a solo artist and began touring full-time as a lead guitarist and vocalist, performing with acts such as “Johnny T” Band and “Smoke n’ Guns” around the nation. Ross has performed over 3,500 shows since moving to Nashville, all while writing and producing his own music.

Ross’ songs emulate the tasteful guitar parts and bold emotional lyrics of the southern rock genre. His sound reflects his lifelong influences, including Gregg Allman, Duane Allman, Chris Cornell, and Ian Thornley. As an English major, he utilizes the themes of all his favorite authors, including Dickinson, Thoreau, and Whitman, in his musical writing. Ross’ music shares stories from his rural roots to life on the road.

About The Blackbird Academy — Professional School of Audio

The Blackbird Academy was started in 2013 by recording and live sound engineer John McBride and his wife, country artist Martina McBride. They created Blackbird Studio in 2002, which has grown to be a top production stop for recording artists like Taylor Swift, Jack White, The Black Keys, Rush, Keith Urban, Queen, and many more.

When interviewing Blackbird Studio interns and employees, John would ask various questions about audio production, like “What is your favorite kick drum mic?” The answers revealed that many graduates of audio programs had little hands-on time in a recording studio.

Another question whose answer shocked him was, “How much did your education cost?” John quickly realized that not only did grads still have a lot to learn, but they often had tons of loans and student debt.

After talking about the ideas they had regarding audio education, John and Martina founded The Blackbird Academy. John hired Mark Rubel, Carma DiCianni, and Kevin Becka – longtime engineers, musicians, and educators, and the four of them went to work creating the program. The curriculum features Blackbird Studio’s gear and facilities for the Studio Program, and access to Clair Global massive warehouses of equipment and professional staff for the Live Sound Program.

A unique feature of The Blackbird Academy is the mentor-driven, experience-based education. Professional engineers and award-winning guest mentors teach The Blackbird Academy programs.

There is no substitute for learning hands-on, from the best professional instructors, in rooms and on gear used to make top quality music every day. The lessons learned at The Blackbird Academy will help you find work in an industry that is competitive, challenging, and rewarding.

About Dead Horse Branding

Dead Horse Branding is an award-winning public relations, management and branding agency with headquarters in both Nashville, TN, and Sydney, Australia. Dead Horse Branding creates, designs, and refines each component of a brand, ensuring that the brand will always hit the right chord on every level. Dead Horse Branding’s business model is a cutting-edge management and branding service all-in-house that spans multiple industries, including music, fashion, design, business, culinary, entertainment, fitness, and more. There are 7 primary formulas to branding and Dead Horse does them all under one roof, making them a very competitive branding agency.

Branding is an identity developed through our DH7 branding formula, which includes: strategic planning, logo and image design, photography and visual assets, website design, marketing and social media, publicity, licensing, and distribution. Dead Horse Branding’s brand-building technique has been implemented into the education system in the USA and Australia. Rick Caballo and Melissa Core-Caballo were instrumental in helping to lead Kennesaw State University’s Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business program (MEBUS) as one of top curriculums ranked by Billboard Magazine 2022.

Baha Men, LOVING MARY (Steven Tyler’s solo band), Cyndi Lauper, Hachette Book Group, Simon and Schuster, Bo Diddley Estate, HENDRIX Music Academy, Grammy Winning Mark O’Connor Band, Universal Music Group, MTSU, Sony Music, ACPI Group, Interior Designer Kathy Anderson, Gigi Butler of Gigi Cupcakes, TEDx, NAMM, Songwriting University, Marc Jordan, Music Producer Tony Brown, Jayne Denham, Average Joes Entertainment, Music Expo, Joel A. Katz MEBUS Program, The Today Show, Lionsgate, and Hallmark are some of the brands we have had the pleasure of working within the USA and internationally.

Visit deadhorsebranding.com for more information!

Press Quotes

“Ross’ EP Shoulders of Giants was one that moved me personally as it just lifts the spirit. I felt honored he allowed me to be a part of the art and songs he has coming to the world next.” — Angela Gonzales 

“Students are going to walk in here, be excited about learning, and really learn what it takes to make a record… if I had six months to dedicate to coming to The Blackbird Academy, I would be here.” — Sheryl Crow, The Recording Artist, Songwriter, Musician

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Briana Dinsdale “Chasing Boys”

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Brisbane based Briana Dinsdale is launching into 2023 with an energy and an attitude beyond her years. Fresh from supporting Australian Country Music heavyweights The Wolfe Brothers in multiple shows, Briana is now set to release a new track ‘ Chasing Boys’. This upbeat sassy country track song draws inspiration from her idols Linda Ronstadt, Keith Urban and The Eagles and expands Dinsdale’s musicianship as a country artist.

“I am so excited to have this track in the world. I wrote it after a breakup when I was feeling confused on how to handle my emotions. It was different for me not writing a sad song but rather a sassy, upbeat, country tune. It’s one of my favourites to play live, so bringing it into the studio was so much fun.”

Briana continues to go from strength to strength bringing a refreshing style of country music to crowds around Australia. She received support from the Country Music Association where she was announced the winner of the 2022 Keith Urban Scholarship Award and was welcomed into the Gibson Family as an official Epiphone ambassador declaring her as one of the youngerst ambassadors in the country. After the announcement as a Top 10 Finalist in the KIX Country/Groundwater Country Music Festival KIX Start Competition in 2022, Briana went on to perform multiple appearances and guest spots at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Feeling at home on stage since the age of eight, Briana has performed at the Gympie Music Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival, The Triffid and on the Melting Sunsets Festival line-up alongside Pete Murray, The Whitlam’s and more. Her songwriting skills and knowledge are of a top level for her young age, writing with the likes of ARIA award winners Casey Barnes, Bill Chambers and Golden Guitar winner Melody Moko and more.

Briana Dinsdale’s previous singles ‘Irresistible Force’ and ‘Last Name’ were well received by radio both locally and internationally and a with fast-growing fan base and respect from industry peers, firmly cements Briana as one of Australia’s brightest emerging country music artists.

Briana Dinsdale’s new single ‘Chasing Boys’ is out to radio on 13th February and digitals on 17th February

Additional Artist/Song Information:

Artist Name: Briana Dinsdale
Song Title: Chasing Boys
Publishing: Briana Dinsdale
Publishing Affiliation: APRA
Album Title: Beginnings
Record Label: Briana Dinsdale Band
Record Label:
Briana Dinsdale
Booking Agent:
Briana Dinsdale
brianadinsdalemusic@mail.com

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Tom Moran Brings All the Feels in His New Music Video for “Oh Darling”

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Singer-songwriter Tom Moran has dropped the accompanying music video for single “Oh Darling” off his recently released debut album, Roommate of a Friend of Mine. The full length album, released worldwide on September 24, is an introspective testimony to finding yourself amidst the chaos.

The single, “Oh Darling” allows listeners to dive deep and finds themselves in a story of wanting to reunite with a childhood love. Paired with an acoustic ambiance and nostalgic lyrics, you are left reaching your hands out for that chance — knowing you’d never let them walk out again.

“‘Oh Darling’ was written early in my songwriting life. Someone I cared a lot about was sent away and I had no way of contacting them, so I wrote songs to deal with that pain. The song can be misconstrued as a break up song but it’s very far from that.” – Tom Moran

The newly released music video features animations curated by director/creative James Morano. To support the wholesome storytelling of “Oh Darling,” the drawings used in the latest visual were created by none other than Tom Moran himself. From beginning to end, listeners are left in a swirl of emotions as the single’s narration comes to life.

“I always wanted to make an animated video. I originally wanted to be an animator when I was a kid. I chose ‘Oh Darling’ because I thought it was a flagship song from the album, even though it was not one of the original singles. The visual story of the video came together as I went along drawing whatever came to mind while going through the lyrics line by line. I didn’t really know where it was going until I was drawing the last few parts.” – Tom Moran

When singer-songwriter Tom Moran makes reference to scenes like being stuck in traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, he’s not trying to get you to imagine yourself in a romanticized version of the Big Apple. He’s just a person trying to get home. And in the rare instances where famous landmarks appear on his full-length debut Roommate of a Friend of Mine, Moran strips away the glow of coolness that so often enshrouds them, making space for the kind of quiet introspection we rarely associate with the metropolitan grind.

Roommate of a Friend of Mine is an album that very much points you back down to earth with songs that find their way to wherever you happen to be, to hit you where you live in every sense of the term. One can feel out of place—and learn how to find one’s place—anywhere. And it’s between those two poles of experience that a lifetime’s worth of highly relatable, almost beautifully mundane, interactions unfolds across the ten slice-of-life turns of rippling folk-pop the album showcases.

Check out the official premiere for Tom Moran’s new animated music video exclusively via PopMatters. The debut album, Roommate of a Friend of Mine, is available for listening across streaming services everywhere.

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The Belle Curves Release New Single “Check Engine Light” Ahead of Sophomore LP ‘Watershed’

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Out today on all streaming services, The Belle Curves have released their newest track “Check Engine Light‘‘ following an exclusive premiere with Americana Highways. The sophomore single sets the tone for their forthcoming studio album ― Watershed ― which is slated for release on June 24, 2022.

The Belle Curves is the solo project of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Delaney Hafener, whose music style conveys a softness and understanding of others that touches each listener. In “Check Engine Light,” Hafener tells the story of her travels across the United States from coast to coast. In support of the release comes a light-hearted visual with supporting animations that paint the picture vividly for the listener in a crystal blue skyline. The road trip that Hafener speaks about draws the parallel connection of what it means to be an American.

“Check Engine Light” will leave listeners with a sense of wanderlust that can only be achieved by a long drive with the windows down and a car stereo blasted to the max.

“This song is actually a true story, word for word. In 2019, my partner and I took a road trip across the country in my little 2004 Pontiac Vibe. There was hardly enough room for everything we packed and the check engine light came on on the third day or so as we were leaving North Carolina. When we got down to New Orleans, a nice man working at an AutoZone told us not to worry about it so we didn’t. We took this little car across Texas then up to San Francisco and made a bee-line back across the plains to be back at their mom’s place in North Carolina in time for Thanksgiving. The whole time we were on the road I just wished we had more space. 

I ended up finally buying a conversion van, a 2002 GMC Savana, in spring of 2021. We accidentally camped in Joshua Tree Veteran’s Day weekend and I think about half the population of LA was also there that weekend. That’s what the ‘Instagram girls’ line is about. 

We stumbled across three or four different photoshoots while we were there. As we were driving, we were listening to a book called ‘American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America’ and it was so fascinating to see the cultural landscapes shift in line with the book’s perspective of this continent’s complicated and often violent history. So much of what it means to be an American, and how fragmented and culturally diverse a country it truly is, came into focus for me in those 6 weeks.”

– Delaney Hafener of The Belle Curves 

Long Island, New York may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of country-Americana music with a strong rural connection, but you might think differently after spending some time with the work of singer-songwriter Delaney Hafener. The driving force behind The Belle Curves, Hafener has a way of turning your assumptions upside down. Whatever preconceived notions you harbor about country music, the USA, love, relationships, identity and belonging, you’ll likely find yourself looking from a newfound vantage point after hearing a few Belle Curves songs. Though certainly incisive, Hafener’s music also conveys consideration, thoughtfulness, and a sincere desire to know what it’s like in another person’s shoes, even when taking them to task. Hafener approaches her songwriting from the premise that country music, and American roots music more generally, have infinite room to grow, even as she honors all the tradition that precedes her.

Be sure to listen to “Check Engine Light” by The Belle Curves, and pre-save the upcoming LP Watershed here.

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Marty O’Neill Keeps The Music Going In New Single “Play It Again”

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Following the release of his debut single, “Stand Right There,” folk singer-songwriter Marty O’Neill has released his newest track “Play It Again.” The new release stems from his upcoming debut EP releasing April 2022, Stand Right There. With its effortless vocals and acoustic backbone, “Play It Again” is an easy listen that describes the enjoyment of friends’ company. Marty shares the track was inspired by a time where he and a group of musician friends were up until the earliest hours of the morning, never wanting the music to stop:

“Imagine two bands playing in your kitchen after a gig.  That happened in our kitchen in the summer of 2019.  We host a ‘house show’ each year and Willie Morrison and his band were our ‘starving artists’ from Nashville.  Their fiddle player, Alex Ruiz, and our family friend (and extraordinary banjo player) Levi Austin sat around our kitchen table with the five other members of our band, and we played until the early morning.  That’s one of the reasons people play music – a community of like-minded musicians jamming!  We just kept playing it again.  Meant as a fun, upbeat, song a full band should play.” – Marty O’Neill

Marty O’Neill is an artist, vocalist, and songwriter based in Annapolis, Maryland. Growing up in a family of musicians, he spent his childhood singing in church and school, expanding his craft to performing, guitar and songwriting as a release valve for expression.  His sound is shaped by artists he grew up listening to like James Taylor, The Eagles, Crosby, Still, Nash and Young and John Hiatt, as well as more contemporary artists like Ray LaMontagne, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Avett Brothers.

A published author with 4 books exploring culture and leadership in business, Marty is an amazing observer of people, well-versed in communication and the human condition. As a songwriter, Marty uses his knowledge and experience to craft moving stories of humanity, love, and life lived to the fullest.

Marty’s upcoming project Stand Right There, inspired by his mother, features 4 introspective tracks that reflect on his early years and subsequent events that have added depth and richness to the rest of his life. The EP is scheduled for release in April 2022.

Be sure to check out Marty O’Neill’s newest single, “Play It Again” on all DSPs today and stay up to date on Marty’s upcoming EP, Stand Right There.

Follow Marty O’Neill Online:

Facebook // Instagram // Website

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Nashvillains Set to Release Debut Album Tumbling Down – Due Out March 4

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Nashvillains are set to release their debut album Tumbling Down worldwide on Mar. 4. Written entirely by Nashvillains, Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett, and produced by Boyett, the 9-track concept album tells a story and takes listeners on a unique journey.

Tumbling Down conveys the tale of a man trying to rebuild his life after living through the consequences of bad decisions. Nashvillains composed the album with thought provoking visual lyrics so that listeners can experience the storyline first hand. Tumbling Down aims to showcase the everyday emotions that individuals face in an honest light and create an experience for the listener.

Lindsey comments on the inspiration behind the album, “Our original inspiration was to tell a story about a man that has made bad decisions that have sent his life into a downward spiral. In three simple words, the album is beautiful, dramatic, and classic, and we hope everyone loves it as much as we do.” 

Concept albums, especially those that contain darker content, have become foreign to the Country music scene. After spending years in the industry, Nashvillians wanted to create an album perceived as more provocative than the music commonly heard on mainstream country radio. With this album, they try to fill a niche in the Country music landscape through the composition of mature, cinematic themes.

Boyett elaborates further on the narrative-like concept, “Tumbling Down is the Nashvillains’ opus. We have nine songs that tell one complete story. Each song relates to the previous and the next song. The message is – we are a country band that has an album that we believe is so emotionally impactful that we would stake our careers on it and have. We believe that we can be successful without following the contemporary formula that has been put in front of us. We believe that the audience, in general, is ready for something different and thought-provoking.”

Along with the album, Nashvillains is releasing several music videos to showcase the storyline and help fans see the complete picture. They are filming two official music videos for tracks, “Tumbling Down” and “Chickasaw Bayou” this month. Nashvillains currently have a “Tumbling Down” lyric video out for that single, which can be seen here.

Their most recent video for “There to Catch Me” premiered on CMT (here). Directed by award-winning director and producer Bethany Ashton Wolf, two versions of the video were created – a short-form and a long-form version. The long-form version shows more of the story behind the song and will be appearing in film festivals throughout 2022. The short-form music video is available for fans to watch now on Nashvillains YouTube page here.

Signed to Fate Entertainment, Nashvillains’ inception stemmed from the industry veterans’ and musicians’ shared love of country music and rock and roll. Each member has been successful in their own right before coming together for this unique project. Collectively, they have written and produced music for feature films, television shows, and major artists like The Chicks, Keith Urban, Cassadee Pope, James Taylor, Lauren Alaina, among many more.

Band members Brett Boyett and Scott Lindsey first met in a writing session where they shared a commonality on a creative vision; that the country music spectrum was in dire need of a rock meets outlaw country presence that flirts with sonic experimentation. Having been familiar with Troy Johnson through the songwriting community, Boyett pinned Troy Johnson and his gritty vocals as a potential third member when he learned that Lindsey shared his publishing company with the sought-after writer; the rest was history.

The newly formed group looks to create a fresh musical landscape by blurring lines between genres, bending the rules of convention, and expanding country music. The sonic landscape of the Nashvillains is accomplished by using traditional instrumentation with creative modern programming while emphasizing the dramatic and untold stories rarely touched upon by today’s popular country music.

For more information on the Nashvillains, visit https://www.nashvillainsband.com/ and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The track list for Tumbling Down is as follows:

  1. “Devil Don’t Sleep” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  2. “Standing In The Fire” Ft. Big Smo (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  3. “Tumbling Down” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  4. “Baby Keeps Killing Me” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  5. “Bonita” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  6. “There To Catch Me” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  7. “Love Is Pain” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  8. “Chickasaw Bayou” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett)
  9. “Don’t Let Me Hang” (Troy Johnson, Scott Lindsey, and Brett Boyett) 

CONTACT:
Christy Walker-Watkins – AristoPR – 615-269-7071 – Christy@aristomedia.com
Julianna Kendall– AristoPR – 615-269-7071 – Julianna@aristomedia.com