Colt Ford und Tracy Byrd

Growing up listening to country greats such as Kenny Rogers and Dolly patron, alongside a love of R&B and hip hop, Colt Ford's blend of country and rap is a natural reflection of the influences he grew up with. However, things could have been very different for Ford, who had initially found success as a professional golfer, competing on the Nationwide Tour.

He released his debut album, "Ride Through the Country" in December 2008, distributed through Average Joe's Entertainment, a label he had co-founded. Ford achieved early success with the single, "Ride Through the Country" which debuted at number 57 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 2009.

Ford toured frequently, finding success outside of the Nashville scene. Being a sensible businessman, Ford created his larger-than-life redneck public image, helping to raise his fame and popularity. in 2010, he released his second record, "Chicken and Biscuits." This was followed by "Every Chance I Get" in 2011, with the album's lead single "Country Thang" reaching number 55 on the Country Chart.

It was with his fourth album, "Declaration of Independence," (2012) that Ford was to achieve his first number one album, reaching the top spot on the Top Country Albums chart. The album also featured his highest charting single, "Back," a duet with Jake Owen, which reached the Top 40. Alongside his solo recordings, Ford has also collaborated with artists including Jeffrey Steele, Craig Wiseman, rapper Bone Crusher and Jermaine Dupri. His Fifth album "Thanks for Listening" came out in the summer of 2014.

Born and raised in Vidor, Texas, Tracy Byrd grew up on a solid diet of traditional country music, however never pursued his interest until singing “Your Cheatin’ Heart” at a shopping mall karaoke stall. The stall representative was so taken back by the performance she invited him to an amateur talent show. Despite failing to win the competition, Byrd discovered his love for country music and passion for performing, and subsequently dropped out of university to join the group Rimfire. After making inroads locally in Beaumont, Byrd signed with MCA Records in 1992, who issued the singer’s debut single “That’s the Thing About a Memory” the same year. The following year, Byrd released the single “Holdin’ Heaven”, which rose to No. 1 on the Country Music Charts, paving the way for the songwriter’s debut, self-titled full-length.

It would prove to be Tracy Byrd’s sophomore album however, “No Ordinary Man”, that represented his breakthrough, selling over two million copies in the U.S. Produced by Jerry Crutchfield, the record spawned the singles “Watermelon Crawl”, “Lifestyle of the Not So Rich and Famous”, “The First Step”, and “The Keeper of the Stars”, the latter of which won Song of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards. Byrd’s third full-length, “Love Lessons”, arrived in 1995 however failed to match the success of its predecessor, and was followed by the popular album “Big Love” in October 1996. In 1997, marking his last album with MCA, Byrd released “I’m from the Country”, spawning the singles “I’m from the Country” and “I Wanna Feel That Way Again”, after which the singer issued the compilation “Keepers: Greatest Hits”.

After signing with RCA Records in 1999, work began on his sixth studio album, “It’s About Time”, which earned its release the same year. Marked by a more accessible pop sound, the record was led by the single “Put Your Hand in Mine”, and succeeded by the full-length “Ten Rounds” in 2001. The record's lead single, “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo”, subsequently found the top spot of the Country Music Chart, his second single to do so. The studio album “The Truth About Men” appeared in July 2003, followed by “Different Things” in September 2006.