Not many amateurs artists rise from a television competition series quite as unique as NBC’s Songland — or get their start from, let alone, a singing competition which is not the conventional route for your typical up and coming artist in the industry. Songland is a show strictly based discovering undiscovered songwriters, pitching their original material to superstar recording artists and chart-topping songwriters in the music business…but, don’t get it twisted. I’m not here to brag on Songland, I am posting today to brag on newcomer and Songland winner and Country singer Griffen Palmer.
For this Canadian Country Music artist, he grew up around music his whole life; as his father was in a band of his own, and all different types of music from Elton John to The Eagles engulfed his influences as a budding singer-songwriter. It wasn’t until years later, Palmer was signed to a publishing deal with Big Loud Publishing in 2019, after moving to Nashville; and then quickly following, found himself appearing as a contestant on Songland in 2020 during the nationwide pandemic. But let’s fast-forward to three years in: He signed with Big Loud Records and released his Songland hit “Second Guessing” (originally written for Florida Georgia Line) as his debut single. His debut album Unlearn recently dropped on April 28, 2023.
Palmer adds, especially, about the debut single “Second Guessing” to Pure Country Radio, “… It was the first time people back home, you know my friends & family, could really see me doing my thing, and to see what it’s like peek behind the curtain of a songwriter… it was just such a big point in me telling my story of becoming an artist today… we had to do something to interweave it into my story, so yeah it’s special that it’s out now with my own little version of it”. Following its release, the song peaked on the Hot Country Songs Chart, and has overall been well received.
The debut record was produced by Joey Moi (whom also produced all of superstar Morgan Wallen’s material). Griffen says of his first-time album, “I loved taking all these sounds I grew up listening to, and were inspired by,and just incorporating them into these country lyrics”. Big Loud Records, by the way, is home to other major label mates such as Ernest, HARDY, Lauren Alaina, and former Country-duo Florida Georgia Line. Some of my personal favorites off of Unlearn, are “25 To Life”, “Came Here For”, (Palmer’s own-penned) “Second Guessing”, “How Many Beers”, and my top pick “By The Way”. In an interview with YouTube’s Pure Country Radio, Palmer goes onto say, about his fast-track to stardom, “…I’m trying my best to slow down and take it all in… but the reception from [Country] radio and everything like that, is something I never had planned on, so it’s been a real cool surprise.”
His vocal abilities, next to his clever and intriguing songwriting skills, are just as powerful as Griffen Palmer’s carries a full-bodied Southern tone, mixed with flawless, current R&B runs. He’s one of the best male singers to come around in a long time, and is right up there with older Country vocalists like David Nail and Chris Stapleton, in my book.
Overall, Palmer is one to watch in the rise of the next generation of Country talent and his album Unlearn is available in stores and on music platforms worldwide.
The Neiman Cruse Report 
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