Always on the lookout for exciting new talent for country music, I think I may have just found one of country music’s brightest newcomers for 2009.  Signed to Universal Reocrds South, Jackson, TN native Jonathan Singleton is primarily known as one of the songwriters (with Jim Beavers) of the #1 Gary Allan hit “Watching Airplanes” and the Top 10 hit “Don’t” from Billy Currington.  What many people don’t know is that Singleton not only is a great songwriter but a compelling vocalist with a honeyed rasp of a voice.  In fact, fans of Red Dirt icons Cross Canadian Ragweed will probably hear a lot of Cody Canada’s voice in Singleton’s vocal delivery. 

Signed to Dann Huff’s publishing company, it’s only natural that the man with the midas touch in Nashville would produce Singleton and his band The Grove’s debut album.  Cynical country fans will hear Huff’s name and instantly think that they’re in for another Rascal Flatts-like brand of country-pop, and aside from the modernity of the production, they’re in for a surprise.  There are steel guitars, acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins and fiddles noticeably in the mix (there’s also, GASP! a steel guitar and banjo instrumental break).  As for the lyrics, Singleton’s voice guide lyrics that find him thankful for all that he’s been given in life; “When I lay my head on my pillow at night, the woman I love is holding me tight, I must believe I’m doing something right, it’s one more day living in paradise.” 

With a song as catchy and as cool sounding as “Livin’ In Paradise” is, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove certainly have a great shot at following Lady Antebellum and Universal South label mates Eli Young Band up the top of the charts.

To hear the single click here.

To hear the band’s renditions (demos) of “Watching Airplanes” and “Don’t” click here.