Sunshine & Whiskey

Last updated
Sunshine & Whiskey
SunshineandWhiskey.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 11, 2014 (2014-02-11)
Genre Country
Length37:57
Label Warner Bros. Nashville
Producer
Frankie Ballard chronology
Frankie Ballard
(2011)
Sunshine & Whiskey
(2014)
El Rio
(2016)
Singles from Sunshine & Whiskey
  1. "Helluva Life"
    Released: July 29, 2013
  2. "Sunshine & Whiskey"
    Released: April 14, 2014
  3. "Young & Crazy"
    Released: January 12, 2015

Sunshine & Whiskey is the second studio album by American country music artist Frankie Ballard. It was released on February 11, 2014 via Warner Bros. Records. [1] [2] The album includes Ballard's debut single "Tell Me You Get Lonely" and "Helluva Life," which became Ballard's first number one hit. [3] [4] Unlike its uptempo version on the album, "Don't Tell Mama I Was Drinking" was previously recorded as a ballad under the title "Don't Tell Mama" by three artists: Ty Herndon on his 1996 album Living in a Moment , Gary Allan on his 1999 album Smoke Rings in the Dark , and Doug Stone on his 2007 album My Turn .

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The Oakland Press Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
RoughstockStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [8]

Sunshine & Whiskey received generally positive reviews from four music critics. At USA Today , Brian Mansfield rated the album two-and-a-half stars out of four, writing that Ballard's "got an appealing rock delivery, and the songs get more thoughtful as he goes along, right to the tragedy at the end." [8] Gary Graff of The Oakland Press rated the album three out of four stars, stating that it is "evident throughout these 11 songs [are] highly contagious", and they "go down like a well-aged single malt." [6] At AllMusic, Steve Leggett rated the album three-and-a-half out of five stars, saying that "most contemporary country fans should love this album, and there are tracks here where Ballard hits everything right, rising above the commercially generic with energy and intelligence." [5] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock rated the album four stars out of five, stating how Ballard stays true to himself on the album. [7]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Young & Crazy"3:00
2."Sunshine & Whiskey"3:02
3."It Don't Take Much"
3:18
4."Helluva Life"3:52
5."Drinky Drink"
  • Johnston
  • Laird
2:59
6."Tell Me You Get Lonely"
3:09
7."Sober Me Up"
  • Connors
  • Davidson
  • Gorley
3:37
8."I'm Thinking Country"2:51
9."Tip Jar"Monty Criswell3:53
10."Don't You Wanna Fall"
3:54
11."Don't Tell Mama I Was Drinking"
4:14
Total length:37:57

Personnel

Musicians
Production

Chart performance

The album debuted at No. 5 in the Top Country Albums chart, and No. 35 in the Billboard 200, with sales of 11,000 for the week. [9] As of June 2016, the album has sold 105,000 copies in the US. [10]

Weekly charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [11] 35
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [12] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)Position
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [13] 68

Related Research Articles

<i>American Love</i> 2016 studio album by Jake Owen

American Love is the fifth studio album by American country music artist Jake Owen. It was released on July 29, 2016, through RCA Nashville. It includes the #1 single "American Country Love Song".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankie Ballard</span> American country singer, songwriter, and guitarist

Frank Robert Ballard IV is an American country music singer-songwriter and guitarist. He has released two albums each for Reprise Records and Warner Bros. Records, and has charted eight singles on the Hot Country Songs charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Farr</span> American country music singer

Tyler Lynn Farr is an American country music singer and songwriter. Originally signed to BNA Records Farr released two singles for the label before it closed. He transferred to Columbia Records Nashville, releasing two albums: Redneck Crazy in 2013 and Suffer in Peace in 2015. Overall he has charted eight singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. His highest ranking on the latter chart is "A Guy Walks Into a Bar" which placed at No. 1 in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Buncha Girls</span> 2011 single by Frankie Ballard

"A Buncha Girls" is a song co-written recorded by American country music artist Frankie Ballard. It was released in February 2011 as the second single from his debut album Frankie Ballard. Ballard wrote the song with Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Ben Hayslip, who comprise The Peach Pickers.

<i>Bakersfield</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Vince Gill and Paul Franklin

Bakersfield is the thirteenth studio album by American country music artist Vince Gill and steel guitar player Paul Franklin. It was released on July 30, 2013, via MCA Nashville. The album is a collaborative tribute of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens songs. It reached number 4 on Top Country Albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helluva Life</span> 2013 single by Frankie Ballard

"Helluva Life" is a song recorded by American country music artist Frankie Ballard. It was released in July 2013 as the first single from Ballard's second studio album, Sunshine & Whiskey, which was released on February 11, 2014. The song was written by Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear.

<i>Feels Like Carolina</i> 2013 studio album by Parmalee

Feels Like Carolina is the major label debut album by American country music group Parmalee. It was released on December 10, 2013, via Stoney Creek Records. The album produced four singles: "Musta Had a Good Time", "Carolina", "Close Your Eyes", and "Already Callin' You Mine".

<i>That Girl</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Jennifer Nettles

That Girl is the debut solo album by American country music artist Jennifer Nettles, lead vocalist of the country duo Sugarland. It was released on January 14, 2014, by Mercury Nashville. The album features 10 songs written or co-written by Nettles and a cover of Bob Seger's "Like a Rock". Nettles collaborated with songwriters Butch Walker, Richard Marx and Sara Bareilles, among others. The album was produced by Rick Rubin at his Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, California.

<i>Write You a Song</i> 2014 studio album by Jon Pardi

Write You a Song is the debut studio album by American country music artist Jon Pardi. It was released on January 14, 2014, through Capitol Nashville. The album includes the singles "Missin' You Crazy", "Up All Night", "What I Can't Put Down", and "When I've Been Drinkin'." It was certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Eric Paslay</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Eric Paslay

Eric Paslay is the debut album by American country music artist Eric Paslay. It was released on February 4, 2014 via EMI Nashville. The album includes the singles "Never Really Wanted", "Friday Night", "Song About a Girl" and "She Don't Love You".

<i>10,000 Towns</i> 2014 studio album by Eli Young Band

10,000 Towns is the fifth studio album by American country music group Eli Young Band. It was released on March 4, 2014 via Republic Nashville. The band wrote over half the tracks and co-produced the album with Frank Liddell and Justin Niebank. It includes the number one single "Drunk Last Night." An exclusive version of the album with three bonus tracks is available at Walmart.

<i>Cole Swindell</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Cole Swindell

Cole Swindell is the debut studio album by American country music artist Cole Swindell. It was released on February 18, 2014 via Warner Bros. Records. The album includes the number one single "Chillin' It".

<i>High Noon</i> (Jerrod Niemann album) 2014 studio album by Jerrod Niemann

High Noon is the fifth and third major-label studio album by American country music artist Jerrod Niemann. It was released on March 25, 2014 via Sea Gayle Music and Arista Nashville. The album includes Jerrod's second number one hit "Drink to That All Night," as well as a collaboration with Colt Ford.

Frank Foster is an American country music singer-songwriter. Foster has released Eight independent albums: Rowdy Reputation in 2011, Red Wings and Six Strings in 2012, Southern Soul in 2013, Rhythm and Whiskey in 2014, “Boots on the Ground” in 2016, “Good Country Music” in 2016, 2018 “Till I’m Gone” and in 2020 “The Way It Was”

<i>Kuntry Livin</i> 2014 studio album by Big Smo

Kuntry Livin' is the debut major label studio album from the American country rapper Big Smo. It was released on June 3, 2014 by both Elektra Nashville and Warner Bros. Records. The album was produced by Jon Conner and Orig. This album charted at No. 31 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine & Whiskey (song)</span> 2014 single by Frankie Ballard

"Sunshine & Whiskey" is a song recorded by American country music artist Frankie Ballard. It was released in April 2014 as the second single from Ballard's second studio album, of the same name. The song was written by Jaren Johnston and Luke Laird.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young & Crazy</span> 2015 single by Frankie Ballard

"Young & Crazy" is a song recorded by American country music artist Frankie Ballard. It was released in January 2015 as the third single from Ballard's second studio album, Sunshine & Whiskey. The song was written by Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley and Shane McAnally. The song was positively received by critics, who praised the lyrics and Ballard's vocal performance.

<i>Damn Country Music</i> 2015 studio album by Tim McGraw

Damn Country Music is the fourteenth studio album by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore. The album was released on November 6, 2015, by Big Machine Records. Its lead single, "Top of the World", was released on August 4, 2015. The title track, "Damn Country Music", was released on October 9, 2015 as part of the album pre-order.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jana Kramer discography</span>

The discography of American country music artist Jana Kramer consists of two studio albums, 12 singles, three promotional singles, 10 music videos, and two album appearances. Kramer began her early career as a television actress, appearing in various soap operas and syndicated shows. In 2011, she signed a recording contract following the exposure of a recurring role on the television series One Tree Hill.

<i>Road Less Traveled</i> (Lauren Alaina album) 2017 studio album by Lauren Alaina

Road Less Traveled is the second studio album by American country music artist Lauren Alaina. The album was released on January 27, 2017, by Mercury Nashville and Interscope Records. It includes the number one single of the same name.

References

  1. Shelburne, Craig (January 1, 2014). "Frankie Ballard, Cole Swindell Plan February Albums". Country Music Television . Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  2. Hudak, Joseph (January 2, 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: Frankie Ballard Reveals New Album Cover and Track List". Country Weekly . Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  3. Hollabaugh, Lorie (January 3, 2014). "Frankie Ballard Shares Track Listing For 'Sunshine & Whiskey'". MusicRow . Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  4. Bjorke, Matt (January 3, 2014). "Franke [sic] Ballard "Sunshine & Whiskey" Tracklist and Cover Art". Roughstock. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Leggett, Steve (February 10, 2014). "Sunshine & Whiskey - Frankie Ballard". AllMusic. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Graff, Gary (February 7, 2014). "The Listening Room: Eric Church, Frankie Ballard and more". The Oakland Press. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Bjorke, Matt (February 11, 2014). "Album Review: Frankie Ballard - Sunshine & Whiskey". Roughstock. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  8. 1 2 Mansfield, Brian (February 10, 2014). "Listen Up: Notable new releases". USA Today. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  9. Bjorke, Matt (February 19, 2014). "Country Album Chart News: The Week of February 19, 2014: Eric Church Blows Doors Off The Charts With "The Outsiders", Scotty McCreery Passes 200k". Roughstock. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  10. "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016.
  11. "Frankie Ballard Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  12. "Frankie Ballard Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard.
  13. "Top Country Albums: 2014 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 16, 2015.