Country’s honky-tonk trinity Midland scores their first career No. 1 with debut single “Drinkin’ Problem,” as the tune tops the Mediabase Country Airplay Chart this week. Written by the group’s Mark Wystrach (lead vocals, guitar), Cameron Duddy (harmony vocals, bass) and Jess Carson (harmony vocals, lead guitar) along with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, the gold-certified song becomes Big Machine Records’ first debut single from a new artist to reach No. 1 on an airplay chart.
The critically-acclaimed “Drinkin’ Problem” reclaims the drinking song for classic country music, making it less about an endless party and more about self-medicating. “They call it a problem, I call it a solution / just sitting here with all my grand illusions,” sings Wystrach, evoking the best booze ballads of both Gary Stewart and Merle Haggard, two of the trio’s chief influences.
The Texas trio recently performed “Drinkin’ Problem on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! which will re-air this Tuesday, August 29th.
“This is a dream come true for us.”
“This is a dream come true for us,” states Wystrach. Carson continues, “Thank you so much to Country radio and all of our fans for the love and support. It still doesn’t feel real.”
With intentional nods to the wild west, sounds reminiscent of country music of the 1970’s and 80’s, the band’s full-length debut titled On The Rocks becomes available September 22nd. The freshman album is highly-anticipated with Cowboys & Indians teasing that it “…promises to be as big as their instantly successful first single.” A collection of 13 tracks all written or co-written by Midland, On The Rocks excels at setting a mood, transporting the listener to another place and time. It’s an album made for wide-open skies, endless deserts and wondering where the road is going to take you next.
Midland’s second single and spirited love song, “Make A Little,” is now available for fans who pre-order the album. The album is available on CD and LP. Several album bundles are available via their online store. Options include autographed albums, t-shirts, deck of cards and more.
Over the weekend, the band opened for Kenny Chesney’s two-day, sold-out stretch at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium and will soon head out with Jon Pardi on CMT On Tour, this fall.
