We write songs, about hauling moonshine, preachers with mischievous streaks, hillbillies who fall too hard, and everything else that makes country music worth turning way up. MADE IN VIRGINIA, road-tested, and still trying to figure out how a bunch of guys who can’t agree on lunch manage to write hit songs together.
The stats:
Two #1 singles: “The Bottom” (2020) and “Lovesick Hillbilly” (2021) on the New Music Weekly and Music Row charts
2022 New Music Weekly nominee, Best New Country Group
Opened for Jon Pardi, and Colt Ford.
Played the VIP stage for the legendary Mr. Travis Tritt at Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion in Portsmouth, VA
Frontman Bill Miles named a Nashville Songwriters Association International “One to Watch,” where he also serves as a Virginia coordinator co-writing with songwriters from the Chesapeake Bay to the San Francisco Bay, running workshops, and leading one of the most active NSAI groups in the country
New single:”Moonshine Highway” hitting radio now, take a sip and pass it around.
Additional Artist/Song Information:
Artist Name: Bill Miles Band
Song Title: Moonshine Highway
Publishing: Bill Miles
Publishing Affiliation: BMI
Album Title: Moonshine Highway
Record Label: Tidewater
The country music landscape is experiencing a massive surge in momentum as a powerful, highly competitive mix of major-label heavyweights and rising independent talent command the airwaves. Radio programmers across the nation are aggressively shaking up their rotations, responding to a dense wave of fresh releases that are rapidly reshaping the weekly charts. From massive stadium-packing superstars to grassroots artists breaking through on sheer streaming power, the current airplay cycle is proving to be one of the most dynamic in recent memory, keeping station directors on their toes as listener passion metrics shift on a weekly basis.
At the absolute forefront of this major-label push, Sony Music Nashville and Columbia are flexing their chart muscle and dominating prime programming slots. Luke Combs maintains a massive presence on the airwaves, pulling double duty with two distinct tracks. He is currently scaling the charts with his highly personal solo single “Be By You,” while simultaneously generating major industry buzz with his collaboration alongside Charles Westley, “Better That Way,” a joint release via Big Loud and Sony. Not far behind is Megan Moroney, who continues her meteoric ascent as one of the format’s most reliable hitmakers. Her standout single “Medicine” on SMN/Columbia is proving to be a massive weapon, earning heavy rotation and high listener engagement scores.
Koe Wetzel
Concurrently, Koe Wetzel is asserting his own chart dominance with a multi-track radio campaign. His raw, emotionally charged solo single “Hurts Like You” (Columbia/RECORDS Nashville) continues to attract fierce listener response, while his highly discussed team-up with Corey Kent on “Rocky Mountain Low” (SMN/Combustion/RCA) has delivered one of the summer’s most talked-about and requested collaborations. Warner Nashville is also making significant waves, fueled by the steady rise of Chase Matthew’s anthemic “Holdin’ It Down” and a remarkable double-threat radio showing from Gavin Adcock. Over at Nashville Harbor, the momentum is just as formidable, where Caroline Jones is building steady foundational support for her infectious single “You’re It For Me, Honey,” while labelmate Riley Green delivers another quintessential, radio-friendly smash with the crowd-pleasing hit “Change My Mind.”
The success stories ripple through the rest of the major-label ecosystem with equal intensity, bringing a rich variety of sounds to the airwaves. Mercury Nashville is seeing excellent chart traction with Tyler Hubbard’s breezy, lifestyle-driven track “Land,” alongside Tucker Wetmore’s attention-grabbing, melody-heavy new single “Brunette.” Big Loud is continuing to prove its unparalleled versatility as an industry powerhouse, finding success with Ashley Cooke’s vulnerable, beautifully produced “baby blues” (in partnership with Back Blocks) . Rounding out this competitive major push are Rodney Atkins, who connects deeply with the core country demographic via Curb Records with the relatable, multigenerational storytelling of “The Years Are Short,” and Stella Lefty, a captivating fresh voice capturing programmatic attention with her Atlantic Outpost/Atlantic release, “Boston.” Kevin Powers and Shaboozey inject a vibrant dose of contemporary flair and cross-genre energy into the format with their EMPIRE/Magnolia crossover hit, “Move On.”
Kevin Powers
Parallel to these heavily backed major-label hits, independent artists are proving that compelling songwriting, fierce fan loyalty, and authentic performances can absolutely compete at the highest level of country radio. These indie trailblazers are carving out significant market share, proving that great music knows no institutional boundaries. Dennis Ledbetter is striking a powerful chord with traditional country purists and heritage stations through his Saint And Sinner release, “When The Ring Comes Back,” a track that leans heavily into the fiddle-and-steel sounds fans crave. Robert Eskridge’s brilliant narrative storytelling on Bucket List’s “Who I Am” continue to gain significant traction, picking up crucial weekly playlist additions. Finally, veteran artist Jeff Dayton continues to impress radio programmers and seasoned industry insiders alike with the clever, expertly crafted “Cowboys & Trains” via Beach Creek Nashville. Together, this impressive contingent of independent talent is ensuring that the airwaves remain creatively diverse, shaping a vibrant, unpredictable, and highly entertaining future for country radio.
Paul Hager was raised in Oconto, Wisconsin, and subsequently relocated to Dubuque, Iowa, where Hager attended high school and initiated my music career by recording his first song, ‘Broken Promises,’ at Roland Studios. During his high school years, Hager also studied music theory and had the privilege of performing with Andy Williams in a packed 30,000-person arena. Following high school, he served in the Navy, Army, and Army Reserve for a total of 15 years. After his military service, he focused on refining his vocals and songwriting skills. Upon returning to Wisconsin after 30 years, he engaged a vocal instructor who helped him achieve professional vocal status within five years. When he began his new recording journey in Nashville Tennessee, he was fortunate to collaborate with the worlds best talent.
The team included:
Main vocals: Paul Hager
Background vocals: Tania Hanceroff who currently sings at the Grand Ole Opry and has worked with Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Reba McEntire, Toby Kieth
Players:
Mark Becket who currently is the house drummer at the Grand Ole Opry.
Chris Leuzinger who currently plays lead guitar for Garth Brooks.
Michael Rinne who has played base guitar for Willie Nelson, Ronnie Milsap and many others.
Pat Mcgrath who has played acoustic for Allison Krass, Randy Owen.
Andy Ellison who has played steel guitar for Capital Records, John Pardi.
Billy Nobel who has played keyboard for Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, CMT.
Borderline:
Crafting a good cover is an art form in itself. It’s a delicate balancing act where elements of the source material must not only be retained, but respected, and a clear level of distinction must be cultivated to warrant the need for a cover in the first places. I’m happy to say Paul Hager’s country reinvention of Madonna’s “Borderline” is exactly how you do it! What was once pop gloss becomes something earthier, dustier, and deeply human. Paul doesn’t just cover the song; he inhabits it, reshaping the originals DNA while preserving the melodic bones that made the original iconic. It’s a transformation that feels both reverent and boldly personal, the kind of artistic balancing act that’s far harder than it soundsand here, it’s pulled off with effortless poise. It feels familiar enough to stir nostalgia, but fresh enough to be rediscovered. It honors the original while revealing new colors, textures, and stories within itproof that, sometimes, crossing the borderline between genres brings a song not to a different place, but home.
Strongest Point(s):
A huge part of this success lies in the exceptional performances threaded throughout the track. Paul’s own vocal presence is warm, charming, and confident, imbued with the kind of gently rugged sincerity that country storytellers are known for. His phrasing doesn’t mimic Madonna’s delivery; instead, he leans into a more grounded register, letting the song breathe in a way that the country genre is known for. That charisma is met by the excellence of the session players he’s brought into the fold. Background vocalist Tania Hanceroff adds a silken glow that lifts the choruses with precision and ease, while guitarist Chris Leuzinger brings tasteful licks and understated firepower. The rhythmic foundation, held down by Michael Rinne has that seasoned steadiness only top-tier players can offer. These musicians (along with a few more high calibre session giants) whose rsums include work with towering figures like Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, and Garth Brooks, lend the track an unmistakable pedigree. Together, they form a band that feels less like hired hands and more like a fully developed group, one that boasts a striking amount of chemistry.
The arrangement is also excellent. It’s a masterclass in deft layering: warm acoustic strums, honeyed pedal-steel sighs, tasteful electric lines, and texture-filling backing vocals. Each layer contributes a small melodic charm of its own, creating a dynamic sound that remains breezy rather than crowded. The country textures never feel pasted on; instead, they settle into the song like they belonged there all along. That sense of naturalnessof sonic warmth radiating from every bargives the cover its heart. And then there’s the production and mix, which strike a rare balance: polished yet never sterile. Every instrument retains its timbral characterthe woody resonance of the acoustic, the brushed velvet of the background vocals, the rounded thump of the bass. The track feels like it was captured in a room where people were smiling, listening, and reacting to each other in real time. It’s clean, but never clinical; detailed, but never over-processed. The warmth isn’t just tonalit’s emotional.
Additional Artist/Song Information:
Artist Name: Paul Hager
Song Title: Borderline
Publishing: Paul Hager Music
Publishing Affiliation: ASCAP
Album Title: Borderline
Record Label: Paul Hager Music
I grew up in a house where music was always on. My dad was a minister of music. My mom played piano and organ in church every Sunday. They were the saints. My grandfather pulled out his fiddle on Saturday nights – that side of the family kept things lively. They were the sinners. Both sides made me what I am.
The records that played in our house ran the whole spectrum. Gospel and classical. Jazz and soul. Blues and Elvis. Bluegrass and country. Then later – Kiss and Van Halen, Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top. I never had to pick a lane. I loved all of it.
I picked up every instrument I could get my hands on. Never read a chart in my life. I just listened, and I copied, and eventually I started writing my own. Growing up I wanted to be a rock star. Most kids do. I took the business path instead, and I’m grateful for it. It worked out.
Now I’ve come full circle. The motivation isn’t fame. It isn’t fortune. It’s just the music – getting it out of my head and into the world the way I always heard it. Blue Mountain Fellowship is the name I gave that work.
What the Fellowship Stands For:
Good Food. Football after tailgating on Saturday and after Church on Sunday. Faith when you are a saint and a sinner. We keep score with Football….but not with Faith. The kind of stuff that used to be the default and somehow became radical.
Additional Artist/Song Information:
Artist Name: Blue Mountain Fellowship
Song Title: USA 250
Publishing: DC Studios Publishing
Publishing Affiliation: ASCAP
Album Title: USA 250
Record Label: Blue Mountain Fellowship
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #26158](https://airplayaccess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Luke-Combs.jpg "[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #26158")
