Summer Country Music Mix Tape

Summer is here, moving fast, and people are ready to party! Break out your coolers, your water toys and get yourself to a dock immediately. Grab your speakers, your phone or cassette tape -- if that's your vibe -- because no summer party is complete without a SUMMER PLAYLIST. This was difficult to narrow down because music is my life but I did my best -- and I put all of my fav songs onto a playlist that you can listen to and share! 

#5 THE NIGHT THAT PADDY MURPHY DIED by Tim Hicks feat. Alan Doyle

If you want to feel like you are in The Maritimes sipping a cold Alexander Keiths by the ocean, then slap this jam on your Spotify Playlist. I couldn’t do a summer playlist without including a little piece of home. Tim Hicks -- a classic country boy from St. Catherines, Ontario -- comes together with THE Alan Doyle to cover the Great Big Sea classic. Complete with fiddles, banjo’s and sick harms, this will have your party-goers tapping their toes around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and wanting to crack open another brew. 

#4 DAMNED IF I DO, DAMNED IF I DON’T by Sarah Shook & The Disarmers

We all have those summer moments -- we spent a little too long on the patio with pals because, of course, you’re having a blast and those Collective Arts Hard Iced Teas taste like juice --you didn’t mean to stay till closing time, but it happens. Sarah Shook & The Disarmers -- from North Carolina -- bring us a sick rockabilly punk twang sound that harbours back to the golden days of outlaw country music. This song will make you feel like you want to throw on your cowboy hat, hop in a pickup truck -- windows rolled down --  and race to the closest beach or cattle show. Sarah Shook is also a queer artist so even more reason to add them to your playlist! 

#3 I NEED YOUR LOVE by Charley Crockett

This song is for all the lovers out there. Bringing us back to the classic love songs of the ’50s. Picture it -- you’re on a dock, lakeside, stars twinkling in a dark sky, you’re under the glow of the summer moon with your one true love and this song comes on, you start slow dancing and go in for a kiss -- nothing could be more perfect. “I Need Your Love” is a summer romance wrapped up in a beautiful melody, a simple arrangement and Charley Crocketts soothing deep vocal tones. Get this song in your life! 

#2 DIAMOND STUDDED SHOES by Yola

Yola’s “Diamond Studded Shoes” feels like pure sunshine and it is an energized call-to-action song. At first, this feels like an upbeat party song, then a political protest song and a call for folks to adjust their awareness. It is an incredible release from Yola who has been making music for years and is finally getting the recognition she deserves. When you listen to this song you immediately want to start dancing in whatever shoes you have on, and it will change your mood to joy immediately. Slap this on all your playlists! 

#1 DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE by Willie Jones

My number one choice is by up-and-coming artist Willie Jones.  “Down By The Riverside” is completely infused with his Louisiana roots -- “Coming straight out the Bayou.” Willie Jones is undoubtedly bringing himself into his hip-hop country-inspired songs.  This song has it all, wicked beat, it is sexy and makes you want to be on the dance floor. With a ridiculously catchy harmonica riff, a bridge that has those classic country song instructions, and Willie Jones’s mesmerizing voice, this song is pure SUMMER! 

BONUS 90s SUMMER HITS

I couldn’t end my Summer Mix Tape without adding some bonus classic ‘90s Country, because no playlist is complete without it! We all know where I am going with this it is of course two songs by the King & Queen of 90s Country, my boy Garth Brooks and Miss Tricia Yearwood. 

TWO PINA COLADAS by Garth Brooks

This song is full of beachy vibes. Sit in the sand with Two Pina Coladas in each hand and just relax to the sound of the waves washing up on the beach. Honestly, I would add any Garth Brooks song to a summer playlist because they are all hits that make me want to sit in the sun and sing along, but he’s only available on Amazon Music -- so if someone has a connection tell that country boy to get on Spotify! 

SHE’S IN LOVE WITH THE BOY by Trisha Yearwood

This classic hit by Miss Yearwood is just always on my playlist. It is catchy and nostalgic. Recently Trisha Yearwood performed a gender reversal of this song -- She’s In Love With The Girl -- on the Opry stage with queer artist Brooke Eden. The duet not only paid homage to Eden’s sexual identity but the whole 2SLGBTQ+ community. Miss Yearwood (as Garth Brooks still calls her and I find adorable) -- is forever a class act. 

Now go! Enjoy your summer, and if none of these songs resonate with you, well… I created an entire playlist of songs that just might -- so take a listen!