Rising Country singer/songwriter Noah Hicks is making a small departure from the beloved dirt-stained, small-town living, back porch drinking songs he’s known for to team up with Shaylen for their longing and introspective new track “Second Time Around (ft. Shaylen),” out today via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment. In this thought-provoking, stirring duet, an ex-couple recounts the pitfalls of their former relationship that led to its eventual demise and wonder whether they could get it right if given a second chance.
“I’ve been excited about ‘Second Time Around’ for a long time! It shows a bit of a different side of me,” shares Hicks. “It’s even more awesome that Shaylen jumped on it with me. She literally has the perfect voice for this song, and she absolutely crushed it. Someone said it sounds even better the second time around…”
Written by Hicks alongside Zach Abend, Jessi Alexander and Jeremy Stover, “Second Time Around (ft. Shaylen)” strikes a pitch-perfect balance between the painful weight of the couple’s regrets and their hopeful optimism about what the future could hold. It begs the question, “is this all just a well-meaning wish, or could the second time around really make all the difference?” Hicks’ rasp-laced tone is complemented beautifully by Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment labelmate Shaylen’s powerhouse vocals as they take turns acknowledging their individual wrongdoings from the past and yearning for a second chance to get it right.
“The second I heard this song and Noah’s voice I was all in,” shared Shaylen. “I’m so honored he thought of me for it and couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with such a rockstar!”
Both Noah Hicks and Shaylen are on the lineup for a free multi-artist concert in downtown Nashville on September 13 as a part of FREEDOM FRIDAY events kicking off the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix weekend (September 13-15). Both performers are also on the bill for the September 14 show at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix located at Nashville Superspeedway. For more information and tour dates, visit noahhicksofficial.com.
ABOUT NOAH HICKS: Raised on a chicken farm in Carrollton, GA, singer/songwriter Noah Hicks brings an authenticity that’s as real as the dirt roads he grew up on. After making the move from his small hometown to Nashville, he quickly found his place among some of the city’s most respected writing circles. Since signing with RED Creative Group in 2020, he’s amassed more than 60 million streams and has collaborated with artists like Rhett Akins, Ashley Cooke, Travis Denning, and Jon Langston. Two of his standout tracks, “I Can Tell You’re Small Town” and “Dirt On It,” have proven Noah’s ability to authentically and naturally connect with fans. The former song sparked an organic TikTok trend, with over 29K videos created and counting, while the latter has been embraced by NFL and MLB stadiums, organically finding its way into the ears of sports fans. Sharing the stage with artists including HARDY, Ernest, Justin Moore, and Parker McCollum, and making appearances at festivals like CMA Fest, Tortuga, and more, it’s clear that Noah’s energy is felt far beyond Music Row. With a sound that’s as authentic as his upbringing and a passion that shines through in every performance, Noah Hicks is more than just a musician; he’s a storyteller, an entertainer, and an artist who’s just getting started. For more information, visit noahhicksofficial.com.
ABOUT SHAYLEN: Since Shaylen took a leap of faith into Country music in 2022, she has experienced a meteoric rise, swiftly ascending to become one of the most prominent emerging female artists in the genre. After nearly two years of writing and recording Country music, Shaylen signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV that has given her the chance to write songs that come straight from her journal. Since her debut single — “What If I Don’t,” a viral streaming sensation on every platform garnering 28+ million streams just on Spotify alone — she has been carving an inimitable mark on Nashville. Shaylen has seen continued success with each song released: “Roots” (praised by PEOPLE Magazine), “Cowboys Never Cry,” “Do It Right The First Time,” “Closest Thing to Closure,” “Been There Before” which Billboard raved “gives off early Taylor Swift vibes at moments, but Shaylen delivers with strong, wisened confidence,” and now the latest single, “Let Me Let You” (praised by Holler). She even partnered with former Hinder frontman Austin John Winkler for a Country-infused cover of his breakout hit from 2006, “Lips of an Angel.” Earning over 100 million streams to date in just two short years, Shaylen has quickly cemented her status as one to watch. She is currently writing and recording new music for her debut project on Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment.
