A country-music purist whose style carries on an original American art form – with all its highs and lows included – Randall King is something of a study in contrast, and his album is too. He often sounds like he just stepped out of a time machine, full of upbeat honky-tonk swagger and flashing the thoughtful gaze of Western poet. But he’s also got a thoroughly modern edge, driven to prove timeless tradition can co-exist with the pop-country mainstream. And it all comes together on Shot Glass. Inspired by everyone from George Strait and Keith Whitley to Dierks Bentley and Eric Church, King grew up on the endless plains and endless highways of a mythical place in the American story – but its famous ways were never mere fantasy to him. The hardscrabble days, wild nights and heartbreaks were all just part of an everyday cycle, and his music continues to capture that mystique.

Often in country music, artists leave their small hometowns with big stories to tell -- in singer-songwriter Tyler Booth's case, those stories are his very own. From supporting some of the genre's top stars including Joe Diffie, Brooks and Dunn, Dwight Yoakam, and Josh Abbott either in the studio or on the show bill to building a grass-roots fan base across the nation with nothing but a rigged-up home studio and workhouse attitude, the 25-year-old singer has already lived a life worth writing songs about. Born and raised in the rule-class city of Campton, Kentucky, Booth always knew he wanted to be a singer. Musically, he grew up in a house divided -- while his dad was managing a local rock group fronted by his uncle, down the road and ""up the holler,"" his grandparents were spinning Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson records. Originally, the young entertainer went the way of his old man. After ""finally getting a guitar tuned"" at 12 years old, he mastered a few power chords and sat in on his uncle's band rehearsal. One year later, a chance listen to Jamey Johnson's hit, ""High Cost Of Living,"" sent Booth down a country music rabbit hole. From that point on, in a town where everybody knew everybody, he became famous for his baritone and songwriting chops. With new music due soon, the entertainer will continue to make a splash in country music led by his captivating live performance, clever lyrics, and his drawling and rich country vocal, backing The Music Universe’s claim: “I’ve been hearing country music needs saved. Well, our hero is here, y’all.”