Colt Ford & Bryan Martin Drop New Track "Shades" Feat. Yelawolf
COLT FORD AND BRYAN MARTIN
DELIVER NEW SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO
“SHADES”
FEATURING YELAWOLF
SET TO HIT THE ROAD WITH BRANTLEY GILBERT THIS WEEK
Above: “Shades” single artwork
NASHVILLE, TN (March 14, 2025) — Today, Colt Ford, the trailblazing country rapper, and Bryan Martin unveil their latest hard-hitting track “Shades” featuring Yelawolf via Average Joes Entertainment. This latest offering is filled with Nashville swagger, bringing the hip-hop and honky-tonk that Colt is known for. The accompanying music video follows Ford and Yelawolf on a night drive through the city, where traffic cameras and helicopters are tracking the movements of these musical vigilantes.
STREAM “SHADES” HERE.
“Shades was a crazy idea I had in the back of the bus one night,” Ford explains. “I told my producer, Dylan, about it, and he made a track. I was like this is hard. I reached out to Yelawolf — he is phenomenal — and I told him I had an idea and sent it to him, and he loved it. Then, we added Bryan Martin to the song… it’s special.”
Bryan Martin shares, “Man, this song’s all about real-life struggles, redemption, and the shades we all throw on to get through the hard times. Gettin’ to team up with Colt Ford and Yelawolf on this one was somethin’ special — three different styles, one hell of a song. Can’t wait for y’all to hear it!”
WATCH THE “SHADES” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:
“Shades” follows Colt’s February 21 release of “Hell Out Of It” featuring Michael Ray, which marked his first single since surviving a life-changing heart attack in 2024. Written by Cole Taylor, Michael Tyler, Thomas Archer, and Lalo Guzman, this feel-good anthem is all about cranking it up, embracing gratitude, and making the most of every moment. American Songwriter praised the single, “‘Hell Out of It’ is more than a comeback single for Colt Ford. It’s a special song with a positive message and his reintroduction to the world after nearly leaving it. However, he had a fairly deep connection to the song before he had his heart attack.”
“I loved this song the moment I heard it, and after everything I’ve been through, it really resonates,” Ford says. “I wanted to bring in someone I’m close with, and Michael Ray absolutely nailed it.” Michael Ray shares, “I’m so excited to be a part of this song with my brother Colt Ford. ‘Hell Out Of It’ is an anthem for the small town, blue collar men and women — the ones that work hard and play harder. It’s about that slice of heaven; a map dot place that to some people, might not look like much, but is raised in them — love the hell out of it.”
WATCH THE “HELL OUT OF IT” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:
With a second lease on life, Ford is charging into 2025 with renewed energy, ready to deliver new shows, fresh collaborations, and an arsenal of new music — mindful of the fact that life can change in the blink of an eye, and he plans to “walk a little slower” moving forward. Following his miraculous recovery, Ford is poised to make 2025 his year. He recently sat down with PEOPLE Magazine and Fox News to discuss last year’s near-fatal heart attack. Drawing strength from his love for family, friends, and fans, Ford powered through his recovery, which became a powerful wake-up call.
Trailblazers carve their own paths, breaking rules and redefining norms along the way. Colt Ford has always done just that, spitting bars over banjo lines long before it was the trend. This fearless approach has set the Georgia-born singer, songwriter, rapper, musician, performer, and co-founder of Average Joes Entertainment apart, cementing his status as country music’s ultimate independent maverick.
With roots in rap, Southern rock, and country, Ford has spent his career collaborating across genres, building a dynamic discography that includes millions of sales and billions of streams. From Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Jermaine Dupri and Bubba Sparxxx to members of No Doubt, Lit, and Lady A, the country-rap troubadour has carved out his own unique space in the music world, all while forging lasting friendships along the way. Moreover, Ford co-wrote Jason Aldean’s RIAA certified hit “Dirt Road Anthem” and Brantley Gilbert’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” — both of which reached number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart — solidifying his position as a behind-the-scenes powerhouse in the studio.
By 2019, Ford had crafted an impressive string of achievements, with his personal chart successes propelling him to mainstream recognition. Ford’s 2023 record, Must Be The Country, was born out of his courageous fight against eye cancer, showcasing his powerful vocal range and flawless delivery. After undergoing rigorous surgery to remove the tumor, Ford’s resilience was tested once again with a diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, an autoimmune disorder that affects his facial muscles and neural connections. Yet, undeterred by these personal health challenges, Ford remains a beacon of inspiration, continuing to perform and work on new projects. His unshakable spirit resonates throughout his music, underscoring his steadfast dedication to his craft.
“I have been so lucky and blessed to have worked with the people I have and continue to,” Ford says. “I just like letting the song lead me to who I want to work with and hope they want to work with me.”
Ford will be joining Brantley Gilbert on select dates of his “Tattoos” Tour,kicking off this week. While the idea of returning to the stage after such a traumatic health scare is nerve-wracking, Ford praises, “BG, who’s like a little brother to me, is the best person to help me ease back in. He’s as good as it gets.”
CATCH COLT FORD ON THE ROAD:
*Brantley Gilbert’s “Tattoos” 2025 Tour
Ford concludes: “I hope the fans and up and coming artists realize how much love and passion it takes to have a career as long as me. I have always tried to help other artists and always take time for the fans; they are the reason we are all here. I hope I leave a foundation that allows others to be successful and maybe just maybe write some cool songs.”
Above: Colt Ford; Credit: Julian Mendoza
ABOUT COLT FORD:
Colt Ford is a genre-defying country artist, musician, and entrepreneur whose groundbreaking fusion of country, rap, and Southern rock has earned him a loyal fanbase and widespread acclaim. Since his debut in 2008, Ford has consistently broken new ground, earning multiple chart-topping albums and accolades along the way. His debut album, Ride Through the Country, went Gold, while subsequent releases, such as Declaration of Independence and Thanks for Listening, earned critical praise and solidified his place in mainstream country music.
With five consecutive Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, Ford’s influence extends beyond the music charts. Thanks for Listening debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 and claimed the #1 spot on the Rap & Independent charts. Additionally, Ford has charted six songs on the Hot Country Songs chart, with the hit “Back” (feat. Jake Owen) reaching the Top 40.
Ford’s collaborations with high-profile artists like Jake Owen and Jamey Johnson have earned him multiple award nominations, including a prestigious Academy of Country Music Award nomination for “Vocal Event of the Year” for his duet on “Cold Beer.” A consistent presence on the road, Colt Ford continues to captivate audiences with his high-energy performances and distinctive sound.
With over three million albums sold, billions of streams and millions of social media followers, Ford has firmly established himself as one of the most influential and dynamic artists in contemporary country music.
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