Independent country artist Waylon Hanel released “Blame It On The Rain” on Sept. 18, the lead single from his upcoming EP “Price of Smokes,” due Nov. 27 on CDX Records. The song was written by Hanel and Billy Gunther and produced by Ken Royster, whose credits include Luke Combs and Cowboy Troy, at Direct Image Studio in Nashville.
A studio video for the track premiered through The Country Note and is set to air on American Country Network starting Oct. 5. The six-song EP includes contributions from songwriters Bernie Nelson and Steve Stapler, along with a cover of Wayne Carson Thompson’s “The Letter,” and features a Nashville session lineup including drummer Tommy Harden, bassist Dave Francis and steel guitarist Scotty Sanders.
The release follows Hanel’s 2025 album “When Waylon Came To Nashville.” According to the announcement, he is nominated for multiple Josie Music Awards, including Artist of the Year and Vocalist of the Year. Hanel has several tour dates scheduled in Michigan through October.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Jason W. Ashcraft / JWA Media, jwamedia.com.