We all have to start somewhere, and back in 2014, Morgan Wallen recorded some of his earliest tunes for a small record label, Panacea Records. While five of the songs were released as an EP (“Stand Alone”), most of the songs were discarded – or so Morgan assumed.

Friday, the label reissued the EP and eight more songs in a collection called “10th Anniversary,” and if “new” Morgan Wallen music was news to fans, it was equally surprising to Morgan himself. Wallen said he learned of the old music coming out while he was duck-hunting, and actually recorded a cover of one of the songs, “Spin You Around,” while he was out on the hunt. “I want you to know this is NOT my new music & I don’t want to see this happen to anyone else,” Wallen wrote on Instagram. “I cringe when I listen to these songs & I’m concerned my fans may mistakenly believe this is a new release by me,” he wrote. “It’s gross, greedy & an example of how the dark side of the music business can suck the soul out of artists.” He released the re-recorded version of “Spin You Around” Friday night, at the same time his old label released the rest of the earlier material.

Panacea Records’ William Ray, for his part, stands by the release of the eight previously unheard tracks. “We love the songs and believe some of his fans will love it too,” says Ray. “We are excited to finally get these songs out to the world.”

Check out Morgan’s new and Wallen-approved version of “Spin You Around” below.

Source: Variety

“Field & Stream” magazine, which was first published in 1895, had gone “digital only” back in 2021. Two modern country legends have taken steps to bring the iconic publication back.

It was announced yesterday that Eric Church and Morgan Wallen are part of a team that has acquired the Field & Stream brand, with plans to start a music festival and even publish a semiannual print edition, on top of maintaining the website and retail opportunities. Field & Stream assets had been split up as the print magazine went digital-only, with Recurrent coming to own the brand’s ongoing media and Dick’s Sporting Goods having picked up the retail side. The group fronted by Wallen and Church has picked up both sets of assets and is putting everything back under one roof, according to brand reps.

Field & Stream magazine was a part of American households from its founding in 1895 up through the turn of the century, maintaining a circulation of over a million copies into the 1990s. It ceased print publication less than three years ago, after publishing a 125th anniversary edition in 2021, at which point it went all-digital.

In individual statements, both Church and Wallen spoke up about what the publication meant to them. “I can remember my grandfather kept a few of his favorite Field & Stream magazines on the dash of his truck,” Church said in a statement. “That truck took us on hundreds of outdoor adventures and I all but memorized every story and every picture on every page. They were my Bible. It is the honor of my life to make sure that legacy carries on. It is both this responsibility to an American icon and also to a young boy in his papaw’s truck that will be the compass that guides our steps.”

Wallen said, “There’s nothing I love more than being with friends around a campfire, on a boat or in a deer stand – and Field & Stream represents all of those to me. Being part of its future is incredible and we want to keep bringing people together outdoors, making memories, for generations to come.”

The print edition won’t be on newsstands, but will be sent out twice a year to a membership community that is being established, the “Field & Stream 1871 Club.”

Source: Variety

We live in an age where almost everything is caught on camera – and that may be a good thing for Chris Young. We told you yesterday the country singer was arrested on several charges stemming from a run-in with ABC agents in Nashville that got physical. While the initial report from the agents didn’t look good for Young, security footage from the bars seems to suggest that the agent’s description of events may not 100-percent jibe with what actually happened.

According to the ABC agent’s affidavit, “While walking out the door Mr. Young put his hands out to stop me from leaving the bar and struck me on the shoulder. I then pushed Mr. Young to create distance since I had no idea of who Mr. Young was or what he had.” This led to Young being arrested on several charges, including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault. Chris is due back in court on the charges February 16.

However…the video appears to show Chris was a lot calmer than the agents suggested, and instead of him “striking” the agent on the shoulder, Young appears to touch him as the agent walks by to get his attention. At that point the agent violently shoves the singer and sends him flying. While the entire encounter is not on the video, enough is there that Young’s lawyer has demanded justice. “In light of the video evidence, Tennessee ABC needs to drop the charges and apologize for the physical, emotional and professional harm done towards my client.”

Source: WhiskeyRiff

Chris Young got arrested in Nashville on Monday night.  He was drinking at the Tin Roof bar when agents from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission came in to check IDs and license cards.

For some reason, Chris had a problem with that.  He started questioning the officers, and recording them.  When they left, he followed them to the Dawg House, which is the bar next door.

There, the TABC conducted another routine compliance check, but when they tried to leave, Chris blocked their exit, and even put his hands on one of the agents.  Things escalated from there, so they hauled him to jail.

In addition to disorderly conduct, Chris was charged with resisting arrest and assault on an officer.  Cops say his eyes were “bloodshot and watery” and he was slurring his speech.

Chris was released yesterday morning on $2,500 bond, and he’s due back in court February 16th.

(Here’s his mugshot.)