Dalton Davis Signs With MCA / Republic Records

Singer-songwriter Dalton Davis has signed a label deal with MCA/Republic Records. The North Carolina native, who is managed by Alex Lunt at Type A/The Familie, just released his new song, “Cows in the Front Yard.”

“The word that is often used to describe Dalton is ‘unique.’  He has a rare ability to blend timeless country storytelling with a modern edge that feels completely his own,” MCA president/CEO Mike Harris tells Billboard in a statement. “His songs are rooted in authenticity, and you can hear both the grit of his experiences and the heart behind his perspective. At MCA, we’ve always prided ourselves on championing artists who define eras and set the standard for what’s next. Dalton has that same kind of undeniable voice and vision — he’s not chasing a trend, he’s carving out a lane that feels fresh but also true to the heritage of our roster.”

Of “Cows in the Front Yard,” Davis said the inspiration came from “a life of having less and wishing for more. I remember being in middle school when Rich Boy released the song ‘Throw some D’s’ and thinking to myself, ‘One day, I’ll be rich enough to put some fresh rims on a box Chevy.’ Now at 30 years old ‘Cows In The Front Yard’ is my ‘Throw Some D’s,’ my redneck dreams coming to fruition while still hoping and dreaming for more.”

Davis’s journey has taken him from being adopted by touring Gospel artists, to working with hip-hop engineers and producers. He’s opened concerts for artists including Midland, Ashley McBryde and Dwight Yoakam, and recently relocated to Nashville, following years spent refining his sound in Chattanooga, Tenn.

“Gospel music and Hip-Hop have played a major role alongside country music in the shaping of my artistry and I will forever be thankful for that,” Davis says. “From Gospel music I learned to write congregational music where a listener can find inspiration and sing along with you by the second chorus. From Hip-Hop, I learned to write conversational music that could be sung or read aloud in a conversation with a friend and fit fine in either setting. ‘Cows In The Front Yard’ is the perfect example of me bringing those together through the country lens that I sing and see life through.”

His new song builds upon previously released tracks including “Sit Crooked,” “Blue Ridge Sky” and “So Far So Good,” which were released independently.

“The end goal is to make records that people from two different walks of life can pull up to a stop light jamming out to my music and neither party feels like they have to turn down the record,” Davis says.