Steve Moakler’s nostalgic music video “Wheels” premieres exclusively on CMT

From our friends at CMT

On the heels of last Friday’s album release, Steel Town, nearly 10 years after moving to Nashville from ‘the steel city,’ singer/songwriter Steve Moakler is not only celebrating a new album but also a music video for his current single “Wheels” today, Monday, March 20, exclusively on all CMT platforms. The video, directed by Reid Long (ACM Video of the Year winner for Eric Church’s “Mr. Misunderstood”), follows the storyline of the single, inspired by the simplicities and complexities of the wheels that carry us through life. “Wheels,” written by Moakler, Gordie Sampson and Caitlyn Smith, is his third single at SiriusXM’s “The Highway.” Check out the video here. Get More: Filmed just miles from Music Row in East Nashville, the backdrop is an antique automobile repair shop Moakler passes night after night –whether coming home from a tour stop or a co-write. Moakler felt this location was a fitting setting for the song that he calls the “crux” of the album because it blends old with new, which Moakler believes is a central theme of Steel Town. “‘Wheels’ is a song about life, the passage of time, how it feels and hurts,” Moakler told Taste of Country. “It’s a dose of something new, and I’ve always wanted to write a song like that. My real heart is getting to tell a story lyrically that connects universally. That is tough to do….I feel like it’s a scenario everyone can put themselves in.” All Access has already placed Steel Town on its “The Year’s Best Albums (So Far)” list, calling the LP, “song-driven, but sonically flexible enough to appeal to transplanted rock fans, or thematically traditional fans, too.” On Monday, March 27, Moakler will make his national television debut, performing his SiriusXM “The Highway” hit, “Wheels” on the fourth hour of NBC’s Today show.  The good-timing “breakthrough hit” (Taste of Country) from Steel Town was written by Cary Barlowe, Moakler and Gordie Sampson, and “could be – should be – a contender for song of the summer” (All Access). Last weekend, Moakler kicked off his headlining Highway Finds Tour with stops in Charlotte, North Carolina; Rome, Georgia and Bowling Green, Kentucky. The inaugural Highway Finds Tour is presented by SiriusXM and Live Nation, and will bring Moakler’s live show across the country with stops in Boston, Chicago, Nashville, New York and more. Moakler first established his foothold as a songwriter with cuts by Ashley Monroe, Jake Owen, Ben Rector and Dierks Bentley (“Riser” and “Mardi Gras” )  has been called an “in-demand artist” by Taste of Country, and has earned recognition by more than 20 outlets as an “artist to watch,” including CMT, Huffington Post, Nashville Lifestyles, Rolling Stone Country and more. For more information about his upcoming album and tour, visit stevemoakler.com.

Steve Moakler’s SiriusXM inaugural “Highway Finds Tour” launches  Thursday, March 16

Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

Breakout country artist who appeared on more than 20 Ones to Watch 2016 lists including CMT, Huffington Post, Nashville Lifestyles, Rolling Stone Country and more, Steve Moakler, will kick off his headlining SiriusXM-backed The Highway Finds Tour today, Thursday, March 16. Just four hours later the “in demand” (Taste of Country) singer/songwriter will release his fourth studio album, Steel Town, available at digital retail and streaming at midnight on Friday, March 17. The 11-track album, produced by GRAMMY Award winning songwriter/producer Luke Laird for CN Records (Creative Nation), is a compilation of songs that serve as reflections on his past, which is rooted in Pittsburgh. “Honestly, they don’t make a lot of steel in Pittsburgh anymore,” said Moakler.  “They made so much at one time though, that I’m convinced that spirit and resilience is still left over in the people.” Moakler continues, “Whether it’s true or not, there are times in life when it’s helpful to believe that maybe you have some steel in you. That’s really the spirit that inspired this album and what drives me to keep pressing on, building my career and making music that I can share with fans. I’m so grateful to have grown up in a place with tenacity in its bones, and that’s why I named this album Steel Town.” Moakler co-wrote 10 of the 11 tracks along with the help of critically-acclaimed co-writers Andy Albert, Marshall Altman, Cary Barlowe, Casey Beathard, Dave Berg, Sarah Buxton, Chad Cates, Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Gordie Sampson, Caitlyn Smith and Daniel Tashian, and includes SiriusXM’s “The Highway” hit and Moakler’s first single, “Suitcase” written by Barry Dean, Luke Laird and Thomas Rhett. Moakler’s latest offering and third single “Wheels” is available at SiriusXM’s “The Highway” now and is the follow-up single to fan-favorite, “Love Drunk.” The Highway Finds Tour kicks off today, Thursday, March 16 in Charlotte, N.C. at The Underground and serves as the “perfect” way to celebrate the release of his new album, according to Moakler. “This is will be our fourth headline spring tour in a row and it’s been really gratifying to watch the crowds grow every year,” said Moakler.  “Now, partnering with SiriusXM “The Highway,” Drew Baldridge and Smithfield, I anticipate this being our most exciting show yet.” Moakler first established his foothold as a songwriter with cuts by Ashley Monroe (“If Love Was Fair”), Jake Owen (“Surefire Feeling”), Ben Rector (“Without You”) and Dierks Bentley (“Riser”) and has earned recognition by more than 20 outlets as an “artist to watch,” including CMT, Huffington Post, Nashville Lifestyles, Rolling Stone Country and more. For more information about his upcoming album and tour, visit stevemoakler.com. Steel Town Track Listing: 1. “Steel Town” (Steve Moakler / Casey Beathard) 2. “Suitcase” (Barry Dean / Luke Laird / Thomas Rhett) 3. “Jealous Girl” (Steve Moakler / Daniel Tashian) 4. “Summer Without Her” (Steve Moakler / Sarah Buxton) 5. “Love Drunk” (Steve Moakler / Cary Barlowe / Gordie Sampson) 6. “Hearts Don’t Break That Way” (Steve Moakler / Marshall Altman Continue reading Steve Moakler’s SiriusXM inaugural “Highway Finds Tour” launches  Thursday, March 16

STEVE MOAKLER TO HEADLINE HIGHWAY FINDS TOUR

Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

STEVE MOAKLER TO HEADLINE INAUGURAL THE HIGHWAY FINDS TOUR PRESENTED BY SIRIUSXM AND LIVE NATION SiriusXM’s first ever country tour kicks off March 16 After a string of successful releases on SiriusXM’s “The Highway,” Steve Moakler will headline The Highway Finds Tour this spring, with special guests Drew Baldridge and Smithfield. The singer-songwriter, who launched as a Highway Find in 2016 and has since climbed the chart on “The Highway” with two successful singles, will headline the 26-city tour, crisscrossing the country beginning March 16. The Highway Finds Tour is the first ever country tour initiative by SiriusXM’s “The Highway” and will include stops in Boston, New York, Nashville, Chicago and more. “This will be our fourth consecutive spring headline tour, but I can already tell this one is going to be on another level,” said Moakler. “Between ‘The Highway’’s support, a brand new album, and two great opening acts, I think these are going to be our most exciting shows to date. I can’t wait to get out and connect with all of our listeners, both new and old!” Moakler has had success with back-to-back hits, “Suitcase” and “Love Drunk.” The “in-demand artist” (Taste of Country) has also landed on more than 20 “artist to watch” lists including CMT, Huffington Post, Nashville Lifestyles, Rolling Stone Country and more. His energetic 60+-minute set will include SiriusXM favorites, as well as new music from his soon-to-be-announced, forthcoming album due later this year. “We’re extremely excited to announce The Highway Finds Tour, as an excellent opportunity to showcase these tremendous talents!,” said J.R. Schumann, Senior Director, Music Programming, SiriusXM. “As we continue our commitment to discovering and breaking new artists, this tour is a natural extension. This is going to be a lot of fun!” Last summer Moakler joined Billy Currington and Kelsea Ballerini on the Summer Forever Tour. He was then tapped as direct support on Old Dominion’s Meat and Candy Tour through the end of 2016. The Pittsburgh native moved to Nashville in 2006 to pursue a career in music and has since established himself as a prominent songwriter, penning numerous songs recorded by artists like Jake Owen, Ben Rector and, most recently, Dierks Bentley with his chart success and title track, “Riser.” For more information on Steve Moakler, visit www.stevemoakler.com.