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The Kicks Wake Up Krew

Nate Smith Is The First Artist On Dub’s Playlist For 2024

Author Dub

Nate Smith is the first artist on Dub’s playlist for 2024. He’s on fire right now, Nate has had two big hits in a row. “Whiskey On You” and “World On Fire” have both gone to number one. I don’t know if Nate plans to release this song as a single, but if he does, I think it will be another hit for him. And here’s the funny thing, the first time I heard this song, I wasn’t sure who it was singing, but I knew I liked it

Where I First Heard It

Let me tell you the story about how I first heard this song. Cody and I were down in Waynesboro shooting a video. We were going into a bunch of the different shops in Downtown Waynesboro to get footage. One of the shops had a country playlist on, and this song was playing in the store. As I was walking though the store, I couldn’t help but listen, and I instantly loved this song. However, I didn’t know who sang it.

Figuring It Out

Now cut to last week. I was riding in my truck and I was listening to some of the best albums of 2023 on Apple Music. Nate Smith’s debut album was on there, and I realized I hadn’t listened to his album in a while so I put it on. Right there in the middle of the album was this song! The same one I’d heard in Waynesboro that I loved but didn’t know who sang it. Now I knew it was Nate Smith!

Like I said before, I think this song could be his next big hit. I think y’all might agree after you hear the song too.

By the way, if you want to keep up with what’s new with Nate, just click here.

If you want to go back and check out all of the songs that have been featured on Dub’s Playlist in the past, click here.

This is my song of the week, it’s called “Better Boy”

Apple Music had Nate’s album as one of the best of 2023. Check out my favorite country albums from last year.

Dub's Favorite Country Albums Of 2023

It’s time to share my favorite country albums of 2023. As you know, a lot of awesome music came out this year. I tried to listen to as much of it as I could. However, like it is every year, certain albums stuck out to me a little more than others. There were certain albums I just kept going back to.

I look forward to Fridays for a lot of reasons. First off, it’s the start of the weekend of course, but all of the new music always comes out on Fridays as well. When I wake up on Fridays the first thing I do is look to see what new music is out. After I see what all is out, I decide what I will listen to first, then second, and so on.

There were lots of big time country stars who released albums this year. And for the most part the ones I was really looking forward to didn’t disappoint. The way I’m doing this is just based on the albums I really liked this year. This list is in no particular order. The only order I tried to do is sort them based on when they came out during the year.

If you’re looking to listen to what I thought was the best of the year, then you’ll wanna binge these albums. However, I’m betting that y’all have already heard a bunch of these, and I also bet y’all probably loved them as much as I did.

You’re about to see my list, but these are the albums Billboard thought were the best of 2023. You can check out their list here.

For more lists, photo galleries, articles, and videos from The Kicks Wake Up Krew, click here.

So, let’s get to it!  Here are my favorite country albums of 2023.

  • HARDY "the mockingbird & THE CROW"

    This album came out in January, and I’ve been cranking it all year long! HARDY went half country half rock on this album. The first half is country and the second half is rock, but it’s all good! Some of my favorite songs off “the mockingbird & THE CROW” are “red”, “drink one for me” and “SOLD OUT”.

    15th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors - Show

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 24: HARDY performs during the 15th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for ACM)

  • Morgan Wallen "One Thing At A Time"

    Of course this album was going to be on the list! It came out in March.  March was a huge month for new country albums, and this was one of the ones everyone was looking forward to hearing, and it didn’t disappoint. Some of my favorites off this one are “Man Made A Bar”, “’98 Braves”, “Whiskey Friends” and “In The Bible”.

    2023 BMI Country Awards

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 07: Morgan Wallen performs onstage during the 2023 BMI Country Awards at BMI Nashville on November 07, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI)

  • Luke Combs "Gettin' Old"

    The two biggest stars in country music both dropped new albums in March. Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs. Of course I’ve been cranking them both in my truck all year. This was the second half of Luke’s “Growin’ Up And Gettin’ Old” project. I can say, Luke brought it on this album, just like he always does! Some of my favorite songs off “Gettin’ Old” are “Grown’ Up And Gettin’ Old”, “Joe”, “See Me Now” and “The Part”.

    NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 20: Luke Combs performs onstage during NSAI 2022 Nashville Songwriter Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 20, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)

  • Parker McCollum " Never Enough

    This one came out in May, and from the first time I heard it, I said that it was one of the best of the year. I really dig Parker’s music. Some of my favorites off of his latest album are “Hurricane”, “Things I Never Told You”, “Burn It Down” and “Lessons From An Old Man”.

    CMA Fest 2022 - Day 4

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 12: Parker McCollum performs during day 4 of CMA Fest 2022 at Nissan Stadium on June 12, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

  • Jelly Roll "Whitsitt Chapel"

    This album came out at the beginning of June, and it has been one of the most popular albums since it came out. I love the variety on this album. There are uptempo rockin’ songs and awesome slower ballads. Some of my favorites from “Whitsitt Chapel” are “Church”, “Behind Bars”, “Unlive” and “The Lost”.

    "Jelly Roll: Save Me" Documentary World Premiere

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MAY 30: Jelly Roll attends the “Jelly Roll: Save Me” Documentary World Premiere at the Ryman Auditorium on May 30, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

  • Zach Bryan "Zach Bryan"

    This album came out in August. I really got into Zach Bryan’s music last year. I couldn’t get enough of his last album “American Heartbreak”, so I was really fired up when I heard he was releasing another full length album. His songwriting is next level, the whole album is good but these are some of my favorites. I love ” East Side Of Sorrow”, “Hey Driver”, “Overtime” and “El Dorado”.

    Zach Bryan In Concert - New York, NY

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: Zach Bryan performs at the Pier 17 Rooftop on September 27, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

  • Riley Green "Ain't My Last Rodeo"

    This one came out in October, and I was really looking forward to hearing it. It had been a few years since Riley Green released a full length album, and this one was worth the wait! Some of my favorite songs off Riley’s new album are “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More”, “Mississippi Or Me” “Damn Good Day To Leave”, and “My Last Rodeo”.

    2023 Stagecoach Festival - Day 1

    INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 28: Riley Green performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2023 Stagecoach Festival on April 28, 2023 in Indio, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Stagecoach)

  • Jason Aldean "Highway Desperado"

    November was another big month for big country albums. This was one of the albums that came out at the beginning of November. There aren’t many Jason Aldean albums that I don’t like, and this one was no different. Some of my favorites off of this one are “Let Your Boys Be Country”, “Knew You’d Come Around”, “Get Away From You”, and “Changing Bars”.

    2023 BBR/BMG CMA Pre-Party

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 07: Jason Aldean attends the 2023 BBR/BMG CMA Pre-Party at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on November 07, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for BBR/BMG)

  • Cody Johnson "Leather"

    This one came out the same day as Jason Aldean’s new album. They’re both awesome. Cody Johnson hasn’t released a bad album yet, but this one might be his best one ever. Some of my favorite songs off of “Leather” are “Dirt Cheap”, “Whiskey Bent”, “Watching My Old Flame”, and “Leather”.

    The 57th Annual CMA Awards - Arrivals

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 08: Cody Johnson attends the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Bryan “Dub” Axelson is the host of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on KICKS 99 and has been with Beasley Media Group in Augusta for over 20 years. He got his start in radio by being a regular caller on the Kicks 99 morning show. He was soon hired and has worked in various roles in Augusta, including Promotions Director. He was raised in Georgia, and currently lives in Grovetown with his wife Kelsey, their daughter Maddie, and their 3 dogs. Dub enjoys watching sports, playing golf, spending time with his family, and discovering new music.

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