Exclusive: Kevin Rudolf Keeps Positive With 'Don't Give Up'

Click to listen to Kevin Rudolf's 'Don't Give Up'

Cash Money Records rocker Kevin Rudolf broke out in 2008 with the anthemic "Let It Rock," which featured Lil Wayne. On his latest track, "Don't Give Up," the singer-songwriter embraces a pure pop feel. Having recently relocated from Los Angeles to his hometown New York City, Rudolf felt invigorated by his return. "When I started writing this album, I had just moved back to New York City, where I grew up. I just got out of L.A. and when I got to the city I was feeling really positive and hopeful, and that's the place where 'Don't Give Up' came from," he explains. "And plus, since the world is ending in 2012, I thought I'd leave on a high note." With a bright acoustic guitar melody, snappy snares and an uplifting message, the song urges listeners, "Don't give up/ Don't look down/ Because your time is gonna come around." The single drops on iTunes on April 17th, but you can stream it here today.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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Exclusive: Kevin Rudolf Keeps Positive With 'Don't Give Up'

Click to listen to Kevin Rudolf's 'Don't Give Up'

Cash Money Records rocker Kevin Rudolf broke out in 2008 with the anthemic "Let It Rock," which featured Lil Wayne. On his latest track, "Don't Give Up," the singer-songwriter embraces a pure pop feel. Having recently relocated from Los Angeles to his hometown New York City, Rudolf felt invigorated by his return. "When I started writing this album, I had just moved back to New York City, where I grew up. I just got out of L.A. and when I got to the city I was feeling really positive and hopeful, and that's the place where 'Don't Give Up' came from," he explains. "And plus, since the world is ending in 2012, I thought I'd leave on a high note." With a bright acoustic guitar melody, snappy snares and an uplifting message, the song urges listeners, "Don't give up/ Don't look down/ Because your time is gonna come around." The single drops on iTunes on April 17th, but you can stream it here today.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Amazon MP3 Download Center

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Merle Haggard Keeps on Keepin' On

Introducing "Okie from Muskogee" last night at Southern California's Grove of Anaheim, Merle Haggard said he'd heard – wink, wink – that one could procure pot legally in certain spots around his home state. "Right here, right now!" one fan called out, but Haggard demurred. His recent health troubles, including a case of double pneumonia that landed the country legend in a Georgia hospital for 10 days in January, have diminished his willingness (or at least his ability) to partake. It was the only sign of weakness in an hourlong set that otherwise suggested Haggard, 74, will be on the road forever.

Last night's show – the second date of a new U.S. tour that stops tonight in San Diego and stretches though the end of April – felt like an assured overview of the singer's hugely influential career, with plenty of trademark hits ("The Bottle Let Me Down," "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink"), as well as the title track from last year's excellent Working in Tennessee. Supported by his longtime backing band, the Strangers, Haggard performed a touching version of "If We Make It Through December" and earned big laughs with a line about the dependability of a Dodge in "Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)." Later, he dedicated "The Fightin' Side of Me" to any soldiers in the house and described "Sing Me Back Home" as "one for the ex-convicts." ("Okie from Muskogee" went out to the dealers and the cops who both make a living from the drug trade.)

Though he received a standing ovation from an audience clearly happy to see him in fine fettle, Haggard resisted any kind of grand gesture in Anaheim. Following a handsome take on "If I Could Only Fly" he thanked his fans for their prayers, then got back to the business at hand. When the show was over he shuffled off in the direction of his beloved bus, determined as always to keep on keepin' on.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Amazon MP3 Download Center

Read more »

Merle Haggard Keeps on Keepin' On

Introducing "Okie from Muskogee" last night at Southern California's Grove of Anaheim, Merle Haggard said he'd heard – wink, wink – that one could procure pot legally in certain spots around his home state. "Right here, right now!" one fan called out, but Haggard demurred. His recent health troubles, including a case of double pneumonia that landed the country legend in a Georgia hospital for 10 days in January, have diminished his willingness (or at least his ability) to partake. It was the only sign of weakness in an hourlong set that otherwise suggested Haggard, 74, will be on the road forever.

Last night's show – the second date of a new U.S. tour that stops tonight in San Diego and stretches though the end of April – felt like an assured overview of the singer's hugely influential career, with plenty of trademark hits ("The Bottle Let Me Down," "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink"), as well as the title track from last year's excellent Working in Tennessee. Supported by his longtime backing band, the Strangers, Haggard performed a touching version of "If We Make It Through December" and earned big laughs with a line about the dependability of a Dodge in "Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)." Later, he dedicated "The Fightin' Side of Me" to any soldiers in the house and described "Sing Me Back Home" as "one for the ex-convicts." ("Okie from Muskogee" went out to the dealers and the cops who both make a living from the drug trade.)

Though he received a standing ovation from an audience clearly happy to see him in fine fettle, Haggard resisted any kind of grand gesture in Anaheim. Following a handsome take on "If I Could Only Fly" he thanked his fans for their prayers, then got back to the business at hand. When the show was over he shuffled off in the direction of his beloved bus, determined as always to keep on keepin' on.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Amazon Music and MP3 Center

Read more »