UK Country
Preston D Barnes shot straight into the UK iTunes Country Charts Top 20 with his debut single 'Add A Little You.'
The song peaked at Number 2 within the first 3 days.
The single caught media attention from The Nashnews and was also featured in the prestigious Maverick Magazine.
Worldwide airplay was received, adding to the incredible songbook of the late, great Andrew Dorff, co-written along with Micheal Robbins and Sam Mackenzie Ellis.
Radio stations across the UK and Ireland, USA, Canada, Europe and Australia got behind this country feel good track.
Nashnews expressed :
" 'Add A Little You' is a feel good track that is being released just before summer officially hits. The guitar beat creates a familiar sound that can't help but get stuck in your head."
To read the full 'The Nashnews' article click here.
'Add A Little You' was written by the late Andrew Dorff, James Micheal Robbins and Sam Mackenzie Ellis.
On it's first day of release it landed in the top 10 of the UK iTunes Country Charts. Peaking at Number 5, Preston has yet another TOP 10 hit just in time for Summer!
Poison tells the story of a mans desire to re-visit an old relationship,
becoming even more hooked on love every time he see her, and feeling
her 'Poison' that injects a send of overwhelming need to be back together, even if it is dangerous!
Preston also received his first airplay on the prestigious Absolute Country Radio with Matt Spracklen. After its debut radio play, Spracklen said 'What an absolute banger! He's really bringing out his inner Keith Urban with this one!'
Preston remained on the ARC Radio playlist for 4 weeks and also spent a week as their Spotlight Artist of the week following the successful release of Poison.
The track was also given radio plays from Tim Protty-Jones' CountryLine Radio, UK Country Music Radio and appeared in the military's leading Soldier Magazine.
'Poison' was written by Alex Masters, Jeston Cade, Linsay Rimes.
On its day of release, Preston's 3rd single went straight into the Number 2 position on the UK Country iTunes Chart.
His release hit the mainstream media with the Lancashire Telegraph writing an article about the track and reasons behind the album cover and lyrics.
Way Back When hit the airplays with over 20 stations picking up the track and it played throughout the week, gaining great reviews and praise, again from Matt Spracklen at Absolute Country Radio and Tim Prottey-Jones at Countryline Radio.
Preston took part in an Instagram take over on the successful Rt66 Country Music platform where he documented his day at the studio and also performed live with his guitarist, Ben Newton. Rt 66 asked their viewers to vote for a song of the week, which 'Way Back When' won and is now in the race for song of the month!
'Way Back When' was also featured in Maverick Magazine, a second time so far in Preston's career, with a review scoring the track an impressive 9/10.
Maverick Magazine said;
"‘Way Back When’ was written by Canadian singer/songwriter Victoria Dykes, Produced by Mark Wickenden at Sonic Boom Music and co-produced by Ben Newton. The song boasts a slick production and a catchy chorus that will reel you in and, in a live setting, have you up on your feet dancing. Meanwhile, Preston’s vocals are strong but smooth, he reminded me of Brett Young or Russell Dickerson on his last release but channels someone like Mitchell Tenpenny when delivering this song. It’s hard to find fault with this track, the perfect song for the perfect voice. This is such a strong release from Preston which makes me eager to hear what’s to come!"
# 1
Preston D Barnes released his 4th Single ‘Castles on Quicksand’ on 16th September 2022. The song went straight to Number 1 on the UK iTunes Country music charts knocking Chris Stapleton's 'Tennessee Whiskey' off the prestigious Number 1 spot.
Written by Paul Bliss (The Hollies, Sheena Easton, Moody Blues, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Olivia Newton John) Steve Kipner (Natasha Bedingfield, Christina Aguilera, The Script, Cheryl Cole, James Arthur) & Peter Beckett (Kenny Rogers, Janet Jackson, The Temptations, Olivia Newton John).
The song tells the story of someone that’s been hurt by a previous relationship and finds it hard to move on when meeting someone new.
The song was originally made famous by the hit US TV show 'California Dreams' in 1992. They produced multiple successful seasons of the show and also released an album of their top songs from the show, to which Castles On Quicksand was included.
Castles on Quicksand was released on the Sonic Boom Record label 16th September 2022. It received multiple airplays across some of the UKs top stations for Country Music. Absolute Radio Country, hosted by Matt Spracklen, Tim Prottey Jones' CountryLine Radio, ARC Radio's Record of the week, Route 66 Country Music's Artist of the month and Single of the week.
Castles On Quicksand also received championing reviews from Rodeo Town, Forever British Country and Nashville Calling.
Rodeo Town said "Barnes, who is a relative newcomer to the country scene, has been given the perfect song to show how his voice can capture the sound of the music city. It's a solid effort for someone who is finding their boots and voice in the scene, there's a lot of potential still to be untapped here."
Preston D Barnes released his 5th and final single of 2022 'Still Believe in Crazy Love' on the 9th November and yet again hit the top spot of the UK Country iTunes Charts knocking off Chris Stapleton and Dolly Parton.
The release week for this single was very special to Preston as it was also Remembrance weekend in the UK and Veterans Day in the US. The single has a military drum feel throughout and has also had a Remembrance and Veterans Day tribute video released.
Matt Spracklen from CountryLine Radio added it to his daily rotation on the day it was released and it had daily air play. Spracklen said "I love it! I've had so many messages about this one. I think you're onto something here, this could be dropped by anyone in Nashville!"
The release of “Still Believe in Crazy Love” follows the success of “Castles on Quicksand’, which also hit the No.1 spot in the UK Country Music Charts in September. A nominee for best UK Male Vocalist at this year’s BCMA Awards, Preston has been championed as the best new breakthrough Country Music Artist in 2022.
Capturing the essence of modern Pop/Rock Country inspired by the likes of Luke Combs, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts he has become a firm favourite on Country radio internationally. Warmly accepted by the Nashville music community, a tour of the U.S. is planned for the Spring of 2023.
Preston’s new offering was written by Nashville heavyweights Andrew Dorff (Rascal Flatts – Yours if You Want it, Blake Shelton – Neon Light) and Jerry Flowers (Lady A – Need You Now, Keith Urban – Defying Gravity).
Truthful and unapologetic “Still Believe in Crazy Love” is an anthem of heartbreak with a hopeful message of strength. With a military drum feel, the track pays tribute to Remembrance/Veterans Day.
Composers: Andrew M Dorff, Jerry Flowers / Label: Sonic Boom Records / Publishers: Songs of Universal INC, EMI/Sony
# 1
NEW SINGLE
Preston's first release of 2023 is a heartwarming single, 'I'll Carry You'. This single is as you've never heard him before. After the success of 2022 with iTunes chart positions from a Number five, two Number Two's and two Number Ones, Preston is certainly making waves through the UK Country Music Scene.
It is relatable to all and Preston says "This is for everyone that needs it, it makes you think about the hard times and also appreciate the good."
This release is available to pre-save 07.02.23 and out on 21.02.23.