Country music fans who have been out to see Eric Church‘s Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour have been introduced to the hot new trio the Cadillac Black, fronted by songwriter on the rise Jaren Johnston. If you’re wondering why Johnston’s name has a familiar ring to it, it’s because he is one-third of the writing team behind the recent Keith Urban chart-topper, ‘You Gonna Fly.’

Now, Johnston and his fellow bandmates — Kelby Ray and Neil Mason — are gearing up for a taste of success with their own music with the release of their new self-titled album. In the release, the band cranks out a unique sound which Johnston calls “very southern, back-porch and nasty.”

“We’ve been told if Bob Dylan and Hank Williams, Sr. and Metallica had a baby, we are what it would be like,” Johnston tells Taste of Country with a proud grin. “That’s kind of what we’re going for, just something a little different that can kind of compete with what’s going on in country music right now. We’re not hung up on all the bulls—; we’re kind of trying to do our own thing.”

Music has always been a focus for the three-piece, who inked a deal with Warner Bros. Records awhile back. When the deal dissolved, the three knew it wasn’t the end of their creativity.

“I started writing this stuff, and people started really liking it,” says Johnston. “It’s been one of those things where it’s really taken off with us just doing it by ourselves. For the time being, we’re doing that. We’ve turned down every major label offer, and it’s been very cool. We own all the masters and everything, and we’re touring.”

The Cadillac Black is currently on the road with Dierks Bentley and Eli Young Band on the latest leg of the Country and Cold Cans Tour with stops in-between opening for the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Charlie Daniels Band.

“It’s been a great year so far,” notes Johnston who also has a huge year ahead of him as a songwriter for other artists. “I’ve been writing a lot with Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and Tom Douglas … people like that. It’s led to stuff like ‘The Woods,’ a song on Dierks’ record that just came out. I got the new Sara Evans’ single that I wrote with her brother about five years ago, and I’ve got a song called ‘Sing It Good My Friend’ on the new Kenny Chesney [album] that’s coming out July 19. I’m excited about that. I have a couple of Tim McGraw things going on as well, and a Casey James cut and Frankie Ballard just cut one. There are a lot of good things going on outside the band, which is very exciting.”

Fans can order a copy of the Cadillac Black’s new record on the band’s website here, or grab it out on the road during their upcoming shows.

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