The ‘90s influenced band Hot Country Knights, now tallying 33 mostly wasted years and countless bad decisions, has today delivered on their promise of return with a two-track collection of original songs,  MIDKNIGHT RODEO, available to listen here. The title track that the band shockingly claims isn’t actually about a rodeo, builds on the their long and hard-earned reputation of still “riding a neon wave of Nineties country nostalgia” (Rolling Stone).  But, it’s the collection’s “Herassmeant,” a duet with lead singer Doug Douglason and his former hometown flame Darla McFarland, that bares the wistful tale of unrequited love that’s creating whispers of GRAMMY nominations up and down the Music Row songwriting community.

Everybody calm down! The new music you’ve been begging for is coming! #MidknightRodeo pic.twitter.com/Jp3hcaeSGT

— Hot Country Knights (@countryknights) May 24, 2023

“The Knights are back, baby,” shouted Douglason. “Being off the road since the Big V (virus) has really made us reflect on what we had taken for granted. When you have a chance to really get to the core of what these songs are about, it’s just a raw appreciation for the most satisfying parts of life. I don’t expect anyone to get it on the first six or seven listens, this is deep thinking stuff.”

Well, we simply couldn’t make you wait any longer. Our new two pack #MidknightRodeo is out now featuring future 2x platinum song #Herassmeant. Both songs are available to stream on all platforms, you can watch the official studio video on youtube here: https://t.co/asBTnwQyQF pic.twitter.com/WJAfgQxZ8M

— Hot Country Knights (@countryknights) May 26, 2023

Garth and Trisha. Tim and Faith. Brooks and Dunn. And now…Doug and Darla #Herassmeant pic.twitter.com/Y166qacoQU

— Hot Country Knights (@countryknights) May 24, 2023

While it’s not clear why or how, superstar Dierks Bentley returns to the studio as producer for the follow up to Hot Country Knights’ debut THE K IS SILENT alongside frequent collaborator Jim Beavers. Both can also be found in the writing credits for “Herassmeant” with Lainey Wilson and Luke Dick.

“Yeah, seems like everybody is talking about harassment these days and the Knights do not tolerate that stuff,” added Douglason. “You gotta treat your lady right, tell her how you feel about her, respect her, love on her.  My old flame Darla McFarland, who most people will remember from Teazers down in Murfreesboro, was itching to sing on this one.  She knew she was the inspiration, so how could we say no?   Darla is the best damn country singer of the last three decades, in my opinion.  Everybody better get down to Tower Records before the CDs are sold out.”

Hot Country Knights also released a visual component to “Herassmeant.” Check it out here.

“Nothin’ hits better in country music than authenticity,” said McFarland. “Seeing how I was the inspiration behind this song, I thought I’d help Doug make a good song great.”

“Well, they’re back. I mean, Hot Country Knights – it’s like a tick. You just can’t get kill these things. I mean, they’re prehistoric in their survival ability that it’s unbelievable. They’re around forever,” laments Dierks. “They were here even before the ‘90s even started. They claimed to have literally started the ‘90s. They tried to trademark ‘90s everything from the mullets to the high-waisted jeans, they think they own all that stuff. These guys are ridiculous, but they’re back. We’re gonna let them come back on the road with us one more time.”

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. With tongue firmly in cheek, the Knights revive a comedic element which has long been integral to the Country genre, but has rarely been seen since the days of Grand Ole Opry stars like String Bean Akeman, Minnie Pearl and others. With organic euphoria of live Country music and its truly gratifying lyrics, their debut album THE K IS SILENT, hit critics “like a lightning bolt of testosterone and sex appeal” (The Chive). Produced by Dierks Bentley, who also served as a co-writer on over half of the 10 brawny tracks, their debut record is one of the most musically satisfying debut albums since 1999. Dubbed by Variety as a “full Spinal Tap-like musical-comedy act” the dedicated road warriors have basically lived out of a van their entire existence and will trek north for to launch the GRAVEL & GOLD tour with Dierks Bentley next weekend. For more information and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum announced the premiere of the video special “American Currents: Celebrating the State of the Music” at 7pm CT, Friday, March 19th, 2021, on the museum’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. “American Currents: Celebrating the State of the Music” takes music fans inside the museum’s upcoming exhibition “American Currents: State of the Music,” which not only recognizes artists’ industry accomplishments, but also delves into the extraordinary events that shaped country music amid a global health crisis and a renewed push for social justice.

Country Music Hall of Fame Member and Museum Board President Vince Gill will introduce the exhibition and the program. Additionally, CEO Kyle Young will share remarks highlighting the artists, musicians, songwriters and stories featured in the most recent installment of the American Currents: State of the Music exhibition, which is located in the museum’s ACM Gallery.
The video special “American Currents: Celebrating the State of the Music,” underwritten in part by City National Bank, kicks off a year-long series of programming and online content in support of “American Currents: State of the Music.” The video will remain available to view on the museum’s YouTube channel after the premiere.

During the video program, Luke Combs and Rissi Palmer will discuss the past year – how it changed their perspectives and how they managed to stay creative and positive during troubling times. Combs, Palmer and Billy Strings, who are each featured in this year’s exhibition, will also perform.

Presented annually, “American Currents: State of the Music” is based upon the ongoing research and analysis of curators and museum staff to document and interpret significant developments in country music over the previous year. Those recognized in this year’s exhibition, in addition to Combs, Palmer and Strings, are: Gabby Barrett, Casey Beathard, The Chicks, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Country Music Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton, John Prine, Sister Sadie and Eddie Stubbs.

The exhibition’s Unbroken Circle section illustrates the connection between country music’s past and present by pairing artists with those who have influenced them or share musical perspectives. Those included are Jimmie Allen and Darius Rucker; Ingrid Andress and Faith Hill; Charley Crockett and Freddy Fender; and Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights and the Statler Brothers’ Lester “Roadhog” Moran & the Cadillac Cowboys.

For more information about American Currents: State of the Music, visit www.CountryMusicHallofFame.org.

The Hot Country Knights performed their song, “Pick Her Up,” with Travis Tritt on ABC’S GOOD MORNING AMERICA on Monday (May 4th).

The song is from the group’s new album, The K is Silent.

After 30 wasted years and countless bad decisions, the moment has finally arrived for the ’90s influenced band Hot Country Knights as they come riding in with the release of their debut album THE K IS SILENT (Capitol Records Nashville), available now. Produced by Dierks Bentley, the multi-Platinum entertainer also serves as a co-writer on over half of the 10 brawny tracks. The Knights will showcase the substance behind the new album as they perform its lead single “Pick Her Up” (feat. Travis Tritt) this Monday on Good Morning America (5/02 at 7:00A Local Time on ABC) alongside the ’90s icon.

Basking in more glory today, the Knights have landed a dream partnership with Hooters who will be offering fans a limited time discount, prize opportunities, exclusive content and a virtual socially distanced listening party. More information will be revealed on the Knights’ Twitter account. As “it’s not hard to see what Country fans are enjoying about Hot Country Knights” (Variety), the band will celebrate the release of the most musically satisfying debut album since 1999 with their loyal following today on Facebook and YouTube (5/01 @ 3:00P CT). Additionally, lead singer Doug Douglason will share the oral history behind the Knights on NPR Morning Edition next Friday (5/08).

Even though some said this moment would never happen, critics have praised THE K IS SILENT for the organic euphoria of live Country music and its truly gratifying lyrics.

“Deadly serious about paying tribute to ’90s country, and the acts that influenced its sound.” – Billboard

“Their debut album is hitting us like a lightning bolt of testosterone and sex appeal.” – The Chive

“Just like those essential ingredients to Country music, humor has mostly been lost in modern country. Along with actually sounding Country, Hot Country Knights is also helping to return this important element to Country too.” – Saving Country Music

“Bentley and his fellow songwriters did ‘do it right.’” – American Songwriter

“The dancing song ‘Moose Knuckle Shuffle’ actually shouts out Tracy Byrd and gives partial songwriting credit to the guys behind ‘Watermelon Crawl’ while ‘Then It Rained’ bears at least a passing resemblance to a certain very serious Garth Brooks song….and that’s part of the charm of THE K IS SILENT.” – Rolling Stone

“With THE K IS SILENT the band reaches what it would call ‘all lower 48 states.’ Songs include the self-explanatory ‘Hot Country Knights,’ goober-y pensive ‘Mull it Over,’ chaotically patriotic ‘The USA Begins With Us’ and, of course, ‘Kings of Neon.’” – The Tennesseean 

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ’90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. For more information on new music, visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

The moment you’ve waited for is nearly here as the Hot Country Knights release their brand-new album, THE K IS SILENT. The collection features standout cuts like “Then It Rained” recalling the epic, weather-related smashes of the past while “Mull It Over” weaves romantic regret around an unintentional tribute to the band’s hair style of choice. “Wrangler Danger” stands as a feel-good tribute to honky tonk Heather Locklears, and “The USA Begins With Us” works as a showcase for the band’s expertly-choreographed live act – along with a blast of good-old-fashioned patriotism. However, it might be “You Make It Hard” (feat. Terri Clark) which best represents the band’s High-T philosophy. With soft-focus sonics and a vocal blend dripping in desire, it simply erupts with passion like a waterbed in the night.

Produced by Dierks Bentley, the multi-Platinum entertainer also serves as a co-writer on over half of the 10 brawny tracks and serves up one of the most musically satisfying debut albums since 1999. THE K IS SILENT is now available for pre-order at all digital retailers here.

THE K IS SILENT Track Listing

1. “Hot Country Knights”
   Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Cassady Feasby, Ben Helson, Dan Hochhalter, Chase McGill, Steve Misamore, Jon Nite, Jon Randall, Tim Sergent, Brett Tyler and Dierks Bentley
2.  “Pick Her Up” (Featuring Travis Tritt)
   Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
3.  “Asphalt”
   Jim Beavers, Jon Nite and Brett Tyler
4.  “Moose Knuckle Shuffle”
   Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Buddy Brock, Dan Hochalter, Chase McGill, Zach Turner and Brett Tyler
5.  “Then It Rained”
   Brett Beavers, Jon Nite and Jon Randall
6.  “Wrangler Danger”
   Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers
7.  “Mull It Over”
   Dierks Bentley, Jim Beavers and Jon Randall
8.  “Kings Of Neon”
   Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Chase McGill
9.  “You Make It Hard” (Featuring Terri Clark)
   Dierks Bentley, Brett Beaver, Jim Beavers, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Jon Randall and Luke Wooten
10. “The USA Begins With US”
    Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery.

*In celebration of the new album, the band will be reuniting on Facebook and Youtube on Friday beginning at 3pm CT.

A Friday you’ll never forget… in celebration of #TheKIsSilent, the Hot Country Knights will be reuniting on Facebook and YouTube. Bring your questions and concerns, the knights will be live at 3pm. pic.twitter.com/xxFmNSkGeR

— Hot Country Knights (@countryknights) April 29, 2020

A week before the Hot Country Knights release one of the most musically satisfying debut albums since 1999, THE K IS SILENT out May 1st, the ’90s infused band has released “You Make It Hard” feat. Terri Clark. Produced and written by multi-Platinum entertainer Dierks Bentley alongside co-writers Jim Beavers, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Jon Randall and Luke Wooten, the passionate duet has soft-focus sonics and a vocal blend dripping in desire that erupts with passion like a waterbed in the night. THE K IS SILENT is now available for pre-order here at all digital retailers here as fans will instantly receive “You Make It Hard” and five additional tracks.

Rolling Stone exclusively shares the music video behind “You Make It Hard” here, while Variety had the pleasure of exclusively speaking to Douglason and Clark about the intimate connection created in the song which fans can read here.

“The music-meets-comedy project” (Rolling Stone) continues to “provide much needed comedic relief” (Billboard) ahead of THE K IS SILENT release as fans and critics alike grasp on to its bounding rhythms and bright, organic euphoria of live Country music.
 
“Just like those essential ingredients to Country music, humor has mostly been lost in modern country. Along with actually sounding Country, Hot Country Knights is also helping to return this important element to Country too.” – Saving Country Music

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights “wear their inspirations on their sleeves pretty proudly” (The Chive). Comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. For more information on new music, visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

The Hot Country Knights continue to reprise the 90’s Country music era and its guitar-driven melodies with the release of “The USA Begins With US” from their forthcoming debut album THE K IS SILENT (Capitol Records Nashville), available May 1st. Produced and written by multi-Platinum entertainer Dierks Bentley along with co-writers Jim Beavers and Brett Beavers, the live track was recently recorded in Nashville and delivers a powerful message through lead singer Doug Douglason’s prolific lyrical musings. THE K IS SILENT is now available for pre-order here at all digital retailers and fans will instantly receive the new patriotic track.

The music video for “The USA Begins With Us” is simultaneously available now, meshing together “a tongue-on-cheek rave-up of every patriotic cliché in the book” (CMT) with a message more timely than ever. Fans can watch the Knights blast of good-old-fashioned allegiance on The Chive and all digital platforms here.

As the Knights continue “riding a neon wave of Nineties country nostalgia” (Rolling Stone) advocates like Saving Country Music understand “releasing this type of material into the woke world we live in today takes a pretty big moose knuckle. We’re not supposed to laugh at anything these days at the fear of someone being offended. That is what makes Hot Country Knights so timely.”

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights “wear their inspirations on their sleeves pretty proudly” (The Chive). Comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery, the Knights have been dubbed by Variety as a “full Spinal Tap-like musical-comedy act.”  Produced by Bentley, the singer/songwriter also serves as a co-writer on over half of the 10 brawny tracks. For more information on new music, visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

The Hot Country Knights’ van will stay parked for a while longer as they announced today they are postponing their 2020 ONE KNIGHT STAND TOUR, which was set to launch next month in California. Refunds for all dates are available at point of purchase.

“Although we are pretty familiar with all types of viruses, we realize that our fans may not have the same immunity built up,” admitted Doug Douglason. “Don’t worry though, if history has proven anything it’s that nothing – not even a worldwide pandemic – can keep The Knights down for long. We’ll be baaaaaaack!”

While the road warriors will be social distancing, the band rooted in 90’s Country will trek forward with their mission to take Country music back to its glory days, with the release of their debut album THE K IS SILENT, out May 1st. Produced by Dierks Bentley and now available for pre-order at all digital retailers here, fans will instantly receive their debut single “Pick Her Up” (feat. Travis Tritt), the power ballad “Asphalt” and the tightest line dance of all “Moose Knuckle Shuffle.”

*While the Hot Country Knights and fans alike find themselves in self isolation, the band has created a Spotify “Quarantine Playlist” filled with iconic tracks from the ’90s here: https://strm.to/HCKPlaylistPR

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. “While the Knights may be out for a good time, they are deadly serious about paying tribute to ’90s country,” (Billboard) with their forthcoming album THE K IS SILENT. Produced by Dierks Bentley, the multi-Platinum entertainer also serves as a co-writer on over half of the 10 brawny tracks. For more information on tour dates and new music, visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

The Hot Country Knights made their Grand Ole Opry debut last night (3/10) where they revived a long standing comedic element that’s been integral to Opry history, harkening back to the days of Little Jimmy Dickens and String Ben Akeman. With tongue firmly in cheek, the Knights “mixed humor and honky-tonk hooks” (Rolling Stone) during performances of their debut single “Pick Her Up” (feat. Travis Tritt) and “the power ballad” (Billboard) “Asphalt” from their forthcoming album THE K IS SILENT, out May 1st. Additionally, with the help of Lil Doug, the Knights showed off the tightest line dance of all time during the “Moose Knuckle Shuffle.” All tracks are instantly available through the pre-order purchase of THE K IS SILENT at all digital retailers here.

Get a firsthand look as the Hot Country Knights bum rush the Grand Ole Opry and receive false hope from Del McCoury during their “Opry Abduction” here:

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. “While the Knights may be out for a good time, they are deadly serious about paying tribute to ’90s country,” (Billboard) with their forthcoming album THE K IS SILENT. Produced by Dierks Bentley, the multi-Platinum entertainer also serves as a co-writer on over half of the 10 brawny tracks. The Knights will embark on their 2020 ONE KNIGHT STAND TOUR launching April 7 in San Diego, CA. For more information on tour dates and new music, visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

Photo Credit for Hot County Knights Performance & Trade Photo Courtesy of Zach Belcher

Photo Credit for Doug Douglason & Lil Doug Douglason Courtesy of © Grand Ole Opry, photo by Chris Hollo