Arista Records/Monument Records, the official music partner of FOX Entertainment’s highly anticipated new series, MONARCH – a new Country music drama about America’s first family of Country music – has released the series’ first song, “A Country Boy Can Survive,” available everywhere now. The song is performed by MULTI-PLATINUM singer and series star Trace Adkins. MONARCH premieres Sunday, January 30 immediately following the NFC Championship on FOX. The series continues with its time period premiere on Tuesday, February 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
Country music icon Adkins delivers a special cover of “A Country Boy Can Survive,” originally released nearly 40 years ago by Hank Williams Jr.Listen to the song HERE.
Produced by three-time GRAMMY Award nominee and series executive music producer Adam Anders and co-producer Peer Åström, “A Country Boy Can Survive” is a song that Adkins has sung his entire career. It also speaks to his series character, Albie Roman, the patriarch of Country music’s first family.
“Trace’s voice is one in a million and sets the tone for everything else we do musically on the series,” says Anders. “He grounds the show so much, and I love every time an ‘Albie’ song is on the slate.”
“I’ve lost count how many times I’ve listened to Hank Jr.’s ‘A Country Boy Can Survive,’” says Adkins. “Having the opportunity to record such an iconic song has been both exhilarating and daunting. I wanted to honor the original version while putting my own ‘spin’ on it. I’m excited for this to be the first release from MONARCH and for fans to hear all of the music we have coming out.”
MONARCH is a Texas-sized, multi-generational musical drama about America’s first family of Country music. Headed by the insanely talented, but tough as nails Queen of Country Music DOTTIE CANTRELL ROMAN (Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, “Feud,” “Thelma & Louise”) and her beloved husband, “Texas Truthteller” ALBIE ROMAN (MULTI-PLATINUM Country music star and three-time Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award winner Trace Adkins, “Old Henry”), the family has become a Country music dynasty. But even though the Roman name is synonymous with authenticity, the very foundation of their success is a lie. And when their reign as Country royalty is put in jeopardy, heir to the crown NICOLETTE “NICKY” ROMAN (Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel, “Pushing Daisies”) will stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy, while ensuring her own quest for stardom.
MONARCH is 100% owned and produced by FOX Entertainment. Screenwriter Melissa London Hilfers serves as creator, writer and executive producer. Jon Harmon Feldman serves as executive producer and showrunner. Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady (The Jackal Group), Michael Rauch and top music manager Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment) also serve as executive producers. Jason Ensler directed the series premiere, on which he also serves as an executive producer. This will be the first release of many originals and covers performed for the series by cast members and upcoming guest stars.
