Kip Moore Celebrates First Gold Record and Release of Debut Album Today
MCA Nashville singer-songwriter Kip Moore is celebrating the gold certification of his single, “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,” as he releases his debut album, Up All Night, today.
“I can’t quite wrap my head around what that means,” Moore says of his first gold record. “I had hopes, but I had no expectations, and those are two different things.
“It caught me off guard because a lot of people have mentioned to me how different the song is as far as its format, having four verses before the chorus. I’m so grateful to my friends at country radio for taking a chance on this song. To see this happening is just a humbling, humbling feeling.”
“Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,” which has sold more than 536,000 units, sits at No. 9 on the country singles charts and ranks No. 9 on Billboard’s Top-Selling Country Digital Songs for First Quarter 2012. It has been in the SoundScan Top 10 Digital Core Country Chart for eight consecutive weeks. The video has received more than 6 million views online. The video is also the FREE Music Video of the Week on iTunes.
In addition, VEVO has selected him as its “Detected” developing artist for April. “Detected” is a series presented by bing that highlights rising musicians and bands through exclusive music videos and interviews. VEVO is the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform. He is the first country artist selected by VEVO for any of its developing artist programming.
He wrote or co-wrote every song on his Brett James-produced debut album.
“I am so ready for Wednesday to roll around!” he jokes about his nervousness. “But I am so excited. It’s really going to throw people for a loop when they get the record. They might have a perception in mind of what it’s going to be because of ‘Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,’ and I am anxious to see what they think when they hear the depth of this record.”
Reviewers are praising Up All Night for its grit, originality and powerful songwriting.
CMT.com’s Chet Flippo says, “I have to say I have not heard a more compelling and appealing new singer-songwriter-performer since Jamey Johnson came along. And I don’t hand these awards out in Cracker Jack boxes. Moore has earned the right to be heard with his impressive debut album, Up All Night. What separates him from all the new formulaic back-road beer-and babes writer-singers? Songs that scratch and kick at you and plead and then demand to be heard. His vocals are urgent and gritty, the gifted voice of a true storyteller working at full throttle.”
GAC’s Daryl Addison says, “Up All Night carries a unique sound that fits somewhere between ramblin’ man storytelling, hook-driven contemporary country and atmospheric blue-collar rock…. With a captivating voice and loose arrangements, Up All Night beautifully transforms a free spirit into a compelling journey.”
The common threads of Up All Night are universal coming-of-age themes as well as the roller coaster of love and loss. He relied on his personal experiences of growing up in a family of eight in the small town of Tifton, Ga., to craft these songs, whether it’s about the fun times of his youth in “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” and “Beer Money” to troubled teens finding refuge in each other in the anthemic “Drive Me Crazy.” “Crazy One More Time” is about a powerful reunion with a lost love and the romantic “Hey Pretty Girl” is about the ideal version of a forever love. “Reckless (Growing Up)” is a semi-autobiographical take on his journey from Georgia to Nashville and the grateful “Faith When I Fall” was penned the day after he was offered his record deal.
Moore is celebrating his album release this week in three cities on three consecutive nights. On Monday, he joined WUBE in Cincinnati for a 21-and-over free 7 p.m. show at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar. Tonight, he joins WSOC in Charlotte, N.C., for an 18-and-over free show at Coyote Joe’s at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, he joins WUBL in Atlanta for an 18-and-over free show at Wild Bill’s at 8 p.m. He will perform and sign copies of his album at each show.
He is currently on tour with Billy Currington and David Nail.
