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Paul Cauthen dropped his highly anticipated fifth studio album today, and if you were looking for a fusion of rock, country and gospel (A.K.A. Cauthen’s signature sound), you’ll find all of that in the Book of Paul. The high-energy, self-reflective project comes at a time in Cauthen’s life where he’s certainly become battle tested. Cauthen has been through the highs and the lows, and the result is this project with fiery, upbeat tracks like “Texas Swagger” and slower, introspective songs like “The Voice Inside (Silence).” He describes it as a record that’s unapologetically himself, and hopes it inspires others to act in the same way: “It’s just being who you are – unapologetically yourself – and that’s every one of my records. Does it dance? Does it make you cry? Does it make you feel? As far as I’m concerned I’ve made it already. I can already do whatever I want musically. And when you get to this point you look back. I have built my whole career going against the grain, and that’s what this record is. The freaking trials and tribulations of Paul. It’s everything I wanted on an album.” Just as many stories within The Bible read as epics, there’s a grand, bigger-than-itself feel to Book of Paul. And just as readers are supposed to come away better off after reading Biblical parables, Big Velvet is walking away from this collection of music with his head held high, knowing that it’s a culmination of his past, present and what he’s setting out to accomplish in the future: “If you look at the Bible, there is no book of Paul. I just wanted to write something that embodies me, because I’m sick of hearing records catered to what’s hot and what’s working. Me, I’ve always been this country boy, East Texas guy. Roots, rock and roll, Texas gospel. If you look back at all my albums, I’m proud to say I meant everything I’ve said.” And Cauthen certainly has a lot to say with his latest project. Some songs lean on the lighter side, like his collaboration with Jake Worthington titled “Tossin’ Back Time.” Others like the anthemic “Road Dog” tell the story of a man changed through love. Then you’ve got the haunting “The Voice Inside (Silence)” that’s about as Texas gospel as it gets. In fact, “The Voice Inside (Silence)” almost acts as prayer that closes out the entire album, and the cathartic release that Cauthen experienced putting together this project is something that he hopes everyone has a chance to tap into themselves at some point: “That’s what God is. That’s the spirit. That’s you. The un-talked about. That’s the good sh**. This record is the ‘Book of Paul,’ but I would say everybody needs their own book, and the chapters in life create that. What I mean is, bet on your own. Everybody pointing fingers at you because you’re the black sheep, or because you have this trait or that, that’s what actually makes you different. So bet on that.” That right there is an inspiring and uplifting message, and it means that much more coming from Paul Cauthen. With all that he’s been through, no one would have blamed him if he had stepped away for a bit. Instead, he pulled up his bootstraps and got busy with his baritone voice in an album that could best be described as kick ass. Do yourself a favor and dive into the Book of Paul… forgive me for the use of another reading pun, but it’s a real page turner: “Book of Paul” “Texas Swagger” “Tossin’ Back Time (feat. Jake Worthington)” “The Voice Inside (Silence)” The post Paul Cauthen Holds Nothing Back With Unapologetic New Album ‘Book of Paul’ first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Don’t feel bad Zach Top… all golfers know the pain. The country music star known for his neotraditional sound has plenty of songs that deal with heartbreak and sadness, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen or heard Top like this before. What brought him to the lowest of lows? That’d be golf. It’s a sport that bring even the best to their knees. In a TikTok posted just a couple of hours ago, Zach shared that he may have just played the worst round of golf of his life. From the jump, you can see how much it’s weighing on the young country star’s shoulders. There’s a reason why golfers wouldn’t wish a bad round, or a slump, on their own worst enemies. When the golfing is good, it’s great. When the golfing is bad, it’s one of the more deflating feelings a human can experience. As Top explained, he was going through it after his disastrous round (no score was provided, but I’m guessing it pushing triple digits). So he started to write a song about his day… only to remember he’s already got one in his catalogue that applies well to the situation: “I think I just played the worst round golf that I ever have in my whole life today. I counted it up, I think I hit two fairways today in 18 holes. You know how I hit those fairways? Both tee shots ricocheted off trees back into the fairway. So I got home, and I’m really sad about it, and I was trying to write a song to encapsulate the level of sorrow I feel. Then I realized I already had… so I was going to sing a snippet of this song for you. It’s been helping me through this.” What song did Top break into after that tease? That’d be “Between the Ditches” from his latest album Ain’t In It For My Health. A quick listen through and it’s easy to see how its lyrics translate to golf: “I go left sometimes a little too far rightYeah I’m good at crossin’ that line and needin’ me some helpBut I’m learnin’ like everybody elseI’m takin’ what I’m given … Just tryin’ to keep on livin’Between the ditches.” Yeah, sometimes golf really is just keeping it in between the ditches. Judging by Top’s latest TikTok, he didn’t do that all that well out on the golf course: @zachtopJust a lil something on my mind ♬ original sound – Zach Top We’ve all been there… but not all of us can turn to writing country music for healing purposes. The country singer went on to say that he just wanted to put this video out there to let other, struggling golfers that they aren’t alone: “I guess I just wanted to share that to… I don’t know, just so it could be out there for any of the rest of you that’s trying to stay between the hazards and the out of bounds stakes and whatever else. Whatever other torture they put on the golf course. If you see this, send it to a struggling golfer… I gotta go to the range.” Message heard loud and clear, Zach. I’ll be sending this out to all of my weekend warrior and “hope I break 100” friends… and I’ll definitely save it for the next time I can’t keep it between the ditches out on the links. Here’s “Between the Ditches” in case you wanted to listen to the whole thing: The post Zach Top Turns To Music In Order To Soothe His Soul After Horrific… Round Of Golf first appeared on Whiskey Riff.