Bri Bagwell Announces New Album “In My Defense”
They’ll tell you that Texas country has no ladies, but they’re shooting their gaze over some great ones, including Jamie Lin Wilson, Courtney Patton, Sunny Sweeney, Kaitlin Butts, and perennial of the Texas music tour circuit, Bri Bagwell. It takes no convincing to book her on the main stage of a festival right beside the boys because she brings the energy and party to her live shows with no diminishing returns. She’s a songwriter like many of the women of Texas music, but she’s an entertainer as well.
Bagwell is readying the release of her latest album In My Defense on September 21st. Produced by Rachel Loy, and featuring co-writes with Courtney Patton and Jody Booth, according to Bri Bagwell, this is the record is her going all-in.
“I am so proud of the record we have created, no matter how cliche that sounds,” Bagwell says. “I have put everything I have, and every dollar to my name creating this record for myself and my fans. I truly believe it is the best record I have ever released, and the pressure I felt to create something great pushed me to the max. I embraced it. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
Originally from Las Cruces, NM, she now lives in Austin, TX. Ahead of the release of In My Defense, she has released a new song called “If You Were a Cowboy.” It has a big sound perfect for Texas regional radio, but a message that mainstream radio could heed.
“This is the only song on the record I didn’t write,” Bagwell explains. “It wasn’t my intention to cut outside of my craft, but my producer Rachel Loy played me the song, and I instantly looked at her with ‘I-have-to-have-this’ eyes.”
In My Defense can now be pre-ordered.
Track List:
- Asphalt and Concrete
- If You Were a Cowboy
- As Soon As You
- Cheat On Me
- Graffiti
- Feel Like Home
- Ring A Bell
- No Time To Say Goodbye
- Empty Chairs
August 19, 2018 @ 7:49 pm
Beautiful and talented! Nice to see her get some coverage on here!
August 19, 2018 @ 10:12 pm
….. didn’t know this singer and after that particular track I still don’t so I’ll hold my thoughts until I hear a bit more . I like the sound of the track…… but overall it sounds like the radio ( bro ) ….. which may be a good thing for her ..???
August 20, 2018 @ 3:32 am
I was looking forward to seeing Bri for the first time on Saturday at Larry Joe Taylor’s Hot Chile Days/Cool Mountain Nights festival in Red River, New Mexico this past weekend, but for whatever reason, she did not appear, so I will have to check her out online. People at the festival said she is very good, and one of the girls mentioned in the article, Kaitlin Butts, did appear and was excellent, I was very impressed with her.
August 20, 2018 @ 4:56 am
In my opinion her best track so far is “Half As Good” (Album: When A Heart Breaks).
“If You Were A Cowboy” is the most added track on Texas radio this week (#97). Must listen to “…Cowboy” again. After the first round i was not so impressed.
Bri Bagwell worked with Kenna Danielle in the past. Big talent from Texas.
Kenna Danielle released an album back in 2014 with Bri Bagwell featured on “Down At ‘ol Gruene Hall” (Album: Good Reputation).
Her current single is “I-35 Reasons” (EP: Like A Tumbleweed). The track is moving in the right direction on the Texas Top 100 (#35 after 8 weeks).
More Female Artists on the Texas Regional Radio Report/Texas Top 100:
Highest female artists on the Texas charts is Courtney Patton (featured on the Deryl Dodd track “Ode To Cody Jinks” #4 this week). Great stuff!
Cody Jinks himself is up to #1 this week with “Must Be The Whiskey”.
Heather Little is on #7 (Jasson Cassidy feat. Heather Little – “Falling Too Fast”). Very radio friendly duet & new on my playlist.
Sunny Sweeney is featured on the Jason Boland & The Stragglers track “I Don’t Deserve You” (#16). Sounds like the country version of a Sonny & Cher track.
Jade Marie Patek is on #22 with the southern rocker “Dead Flowers”. Testing for my playlist.
Natalie Rose is on #26 with “My South”. Girl you are too late to the bro-country party. Better luck next time.
“I Got Me” by Sarah Hobbs is on #45. (Radio friendly midtempo). Current EP: Texas Made.
The Calamity Janes are on #46 with “Light It Up”. Great track!
“Your Girl” by Morgan Ashley dropped back to #51 (Uptempo, radio-friendly & mediocre).
Lauren Corzine is moving up to #67 with “If This Is Love”. (Uptempo with folk music feeling).
“All I Need” by Beth Noble is on #87. Much better her single “My Country Blues”.
On #89: Amy Jack with “Jack Of All Trades” (Uptempo…well…that’s it)
The GREAT Robynn Shayne is on #90 with “Hell Broke Loose”. EP: Coffee Days & Whiskey Nights. On my list for EP Of The Year.
The male/female duo Rugged Grace is on #92 with “Kiss You All (Damn) Night”. Slow track & testing for my playlist.
On #100 is Briana Adams with “Gone”. Big talent, great voice but needs a better producer. EP: Dive Bars & Old Guitars.
Not enough?
Logan Brill released 2 new songs “Giving Up” & “Good Story” (08/17)
The Kacey Musgraves version of Roger Millers “Kansas City Star” was released. Album: King Of The Road: A Tribute To Roger Miller (08/31).
Australian country star Kirsty Lee Akers released a new & self-produced album (Under My Skin – 07/27) & the 2nd single is the ballad “House Full Of Flowers (Hannah’s Song).
In a couple of days (08/24) aussie country superstar Beccy Cole will release her new album Lioness. The single “Lioness” went from #31 to #2 in the 2nd week on the Country Tracks Top 40 & is high on my list for Song Of The Year.
Still not enough?
Oh my…let’s see.
Americana/country singer Kristina Murray released a new single (“Strong Blood” – 08/17). A new album is in the making (Southern Ambrosia – 09/21).
Curb Records released a Wynonna (Judd) All-Time Greatest Hits album (08/10).
Gemma Louisianna – “Girl From Outa Town” (08/10). Love the name…the song not so much.
August 20, 2018 @ 5:46 am
Like this song. Want to hear more.
August 20, 2018 @ 7:49 am
Awesome track, I can’t wait to hear the full album 🙂
August 20, 2018 @ 9:09 am
I agree with Scott and Dirt. Like the song a lot hope the album is as good, Sunny, Ashley and oh yes Sarah are in heavy rotation now but there’s always room for another quality album.
August 20, 2018 @ 9:16 am
Love her live show. Now she needs to make a record worthy of her music. She has some good music but has yet to put a great music project together front to back. Like what I heard from the single. I am encouraged by the people she is working for this album, especially Jody Booth. Hopefully this Album is the one we have waiting for as fans.
August 20, 2018 @ 10:32 am
I remember when Bri was on the TV show “CMT’s Next Superstar” series back in 2011. Bri was one of the more talented contestants but only lasted a few weeks because that show tended to favor wacky personalities for dramatic effect over actual talent. I’m glad to read she’s built a successful carer in Texas in spite of that Nashville detour…
August 20, 2018 @ 10:43 am
Go to the gear on the bottom right of the youtube player and change the speed to 1.25x
You’re welcome.
August 20, 2018 @ 1:38 pm
I’m ok with the tempo as-is but it is an interesting choice…
August 20, 2018 @ 3:31 pm
Interesting – is this sistah-country?
A bit list-tastic, rock guitar(s), name checking brand(s), and some bonus country cliches like
– outlaw
– whisky
– dusty boots
August 20, 2018 @ 4:41 pm
Chick & Pickin’
August 20, 2018 @ 6:14 pm
To me, this just sounds like pop-country from 10 years ago. Definitely not my kind of music.
August 20, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
Made it about 45 seconds. Sounds like a Carrie Underwood song from her first album. Pass for me. Imma go listen to that Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis album some more.
August 21, 2018 @ 8:56 am
I have one question. Is she a traditional country singer? What’s that, you say? ‘St. Hank, St. Lefty, Brother Waylon, Sister Tammy and Deacon George ‘ . If she compares favorably with them, I’ll listen. If not, pass.
November 19, 2018 @ 5:41 am
Solid. A little slicker than I usually listen to. Sounds Miranda Lambert-ish to me, which is not a bad thing. Going to see her twice in the next 3 months. I can see these songs working better live tbh.