|
Today (11.24), rising country artist Austin Michael announces his new album Lonestar, coming March 6th, 2026. The 13-track collection offers an authentic look into Austin’s journey, tracing his path from a Texas, cattle-roping cowboy to genuine country troubadour. Rooted in the raw spirit of classic country storytelling, the album features 11 brand-new songs, each written or co-written by Austin, showcasing his knack for vivid scenes, honest emotion, and straight-shooting lyricism.
Pre-Save Lonestar here
This Friday (11.28), Austin will release the latest preview from the album, “Back On A Barstool.” Drawing on the storytelling traditions of country legends like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, and more recently Cody Johnson, Austin channels the down-home, unvarnished voices of everyday people. “Back on a Barstool” is a raw, bottom-of-the-glass confessional, laying bare the sting of self-inflicted heartache.
“This album is really a special one to me,” says Austin. “I think it embodies the idea of being genuine to who you are, regardless of how different your background might be. Being different can be lonely, but it can also be your greatest strength. It may often times leave you feelin’ like a Lonestar…”
Austin has already shared two preview tracks from the album: “Hard Earned Heartache” and “Whiskey On A Wildfire.” Written by Michael and Sergio Sanchez (Morgan Wallen, Bailey Zimmerman), “Hard Earned Heartache” captures the ache and reflection after a relationship’s collapse. “Whiskey on a Wildfire,” co-written with Sergio Sanchez and John Kraft (TRAIN), ignites the heady, lightning-in-a-bottle thrill of a new and risky love. Together, these tracks showcase Austin’s gift for painting vivid, emotionally charged stories that resonate with the heart and the soul of country music.
Listen to “Hard Earned Heartache” Here
Listen to “Whiskey on a Wildfire” Here
Across the forthcoming album, Austin Michael considers his own identity as a Lonestar – both a symbol of his Texas roots and a lens through which he views his own coming-of-age. Raised on a ranch in Van Alstyne, Texas, his days were filled with hunting, fishing, and the dream of rodeos and Team Roping, while his adolescence was shaped by hobbies that demanded independence, grit, and self-reliance. Over the past five years as Austin’s goals have pivoted from chasing rodeo to chasing music, he’s honed his craft as a songwriter and performer and has returned to this formative ethos, exploring what it means to bet on himself—what he calls “wishing on a Lonestar.”
At just 22, Austin has already built a remarkable foundation for his legacy, moving from rodeo life in Texas to a multi-faceted country artist in Music City. At 15, he appeared on American Idol, creating one of the season’s top three viral moments when he roped Katy Perry off Luke Bryan’s shoulders. Shortly after, he released his self-titled debut album, igniting a lifelong passion for writing and connecting through music. Today, Austin Michael has amassed over 17 million streams and shared the stage with artists including Justin Moore, Randy Houser, Chris Young, and Joe Nichols, proving his talent and storytelling resonate far beyond his Texas roots.
Lonestar Tracklist:
- Back In The Saddle (Austin Michael, Anthony Gaboozey)
- Cowboys Don’t Act Like That (Austin Michael, Philip Morgan, Chris August)
- Lonestar (Austin Michael, Sergio Sanchez, Jon Kraft)
- Why Not Whiskey (Austin Michael, Joe Clemmons, Shane Minor)
- Movin’ On (Austin Michael, Philip Morgan, Mark Chandler, Chris Sligh)
- Slow Burn (Austin Michael, Cam Newby, Lynn Hutton)
- Least Of My Worries (Austin Michael, Phil Morgan, Chris Sligh)
- Barrel Racin’ (Austin Michael, Philip Morgan, Kyle Schlienger)
- Whiskey On A Wildfire (Austin Michael, Sergio Sanchez, John Kraft)
- Texas Hold ‘Em (Austin Michael, Sergio Sanchez, John Kraft)
- Hard Earned Heartache (Austin Michael, Sergio Sanchez)
- Back On A Barstool (Austin Michael, Heath Warren, Sam Martinez)
- Hearts Break Too Easy (Austin Michael)
|
