MORGAN WALLEN CHARMS COUNTRY RADIO WITH “THE WAY I TALK”
Country newcomer Morgan Wallen’s debut single “The Way I Talk” has charmed its way into the hearts of country fans, breaking into the Top 30 of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for the week of May 6.
The first taste of his Big Loud Records EP – also titled THE WAY I TALK – Wallen’s drawling, fun-loving anthem to knowing yourself and what you stand for has also racked up over 7 million Spotify streams, a figure that seems to primed to explode as radio stations around the country continue to add the song.
Written by hit-makers Ben Hayslip, Chase McGill and Jessi Alexander, “The Way I Talk” plays off the young star’s dynamic vocal delivery and features a sound straight out of the modern South, combining elements of both country and rock.
The track was a highlight of Wallen’s high-energy performance in Knoxville on April 29, where he was tapped as an opening act on Florida Georgia Line’s sold-out DIG YOUR ROOTS TOUR at Thompson-Boling Arena. A native of the Knoxville area, Wallen was interviewed for a cover story in his hometown newspaper, The Knoxville News Sentinel, where he talked about his songwriting craft, his move to Nashville and becoming friends with his superstar tour hosts. Read the story here.
"Growing up I never dreamed I'd be playing in arenas, and my first weekend on an arena tour, I get to play Knoxville! Are you kidding me?” exclaims Wallen. “That's the most people I've ever heard singing my songs back to me! It was absolutely humbling and such a huge blessing. I love my hometown. Everywhere I go, something reminds me of it. It's awesome when you don't have to be reminded and you just get to live in it for a few moments."
Meanwhile, the rising star has also recently been named one of Rolling Stone’s 10 New Country Artists You Need to Know, and was chosen for inclusion in Taste of Country’s RISERS contest early this year.
His official video for “The Way I Talk” has now been played more than a quarter of a million times, and an exclusive behind the scenes clip about the making of the video is currently live on Billboard.com.
Wallen will continue connecting with huge crowds throughout 2017, joining select dates of Florida Georgia Line's massive THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 with hip-hop icon Nelly and breakout country star Chris Lane. Other shows on Wallen’s jam-packed summer schedule include the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, the Country LakeShake in Chicago and the Watershed Music Festival in Quincy, Washington.
Morgan Wallen Upcoming 2017 Tour Dates:
MAY
13 | Helena, AL – Buck Creek Festival
16 | Birmingham, AL – Tin Roof
18 | Bel Air, MD – St. Jude Benefit Concert
19 | Dubuque, IA – Mystique Casino Q Showroom
20 | Lincoln, NE – The Single Barrel
26 | Virginia Beach, VA – 97.3 The Eagle Summer Kick Off Party
JUNE
02 | Austin, TX – Austin 360 Amphitheater*
03 | Dallas, TX – Starplex Pavilion*
10 | Nashville, TN – CMA Festival
17 | Santa Clarita, CA – Boots & Brews Festival
22 | Cadott, WI – Country Fest
23 | Oshkosh, WI – Country USA
24 | Bristow, VA – WMZQ Fest
25 | Chicago, IL – Windy City LakeShake
30 | Ashville, OH – Ashville 4th of July Festival
JULY
01 | Rushville, IL – Schuyler County Fair
08 | Fort Loramie, OH – Country Concert
14 | Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater*
15 | Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater*
21 | Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek*
22 | Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium*
23 | Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center*
25 | Harrington, DE – Delaware State Fairgrounds
29 | Quincy, WA – Watershed Festival
AUGUST
03 | Sacramento, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
04 | Crescent City, CA – Del Norte County Fair
11 | Courtland, VA – Franklin Southhampton County Fair
19 | Berea, OH – WGAR Country Jam
25 | Knoxville, TN – Cotton Eyed Joe’s
SEPTEMBER
01 | Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion*
02 | Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion*
OCTOBER
12 | Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena*
13 | Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre*
14 | West Palm Beach, FL – Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre*
19 | Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre*
20 | Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Ampitheatre*
21 | Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Ampitheatre*
*Denotes FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE Dates
About Morgan Wallen:
Born in Sneedville, Tenn. (also home to bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin), Wallen was a star on the baseball diamond, attended the same high school as country superstar Kenny Chesney, and has deep roots in the church. With a hard-rock loving preacher for a father and a mother who couldn’t get enough country and contemporary Christian music, Wallen began performing for his local congregation at the tender age of 3 and went on to develop a strong love of country, rock and hip-hop. After moving to Music City in 2015, he’s co-written with hit-makers like Craig Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, the Warren Brothers, Tommy Cecil and Matt Dragstrem, and has been honing his studio poise with award-winning producer Joey Moi. Wallen’s five-song EP THE WAY I TALK hit iTunes and Spotify on July 29, 2016, and his Southern-roots anthem “The Way I Talk” was instantly included on Spotify’s popular Wild Country, New Boots and New Music Friday playlists.
For more about Morgan Wallen, visit www.morganwallen.com.