Alli Leighann Pays Tribute To Morgan Wallen & Name Drops 12 Of His Songs In “Wallen On Your Radio”

“Wallen On Your Radio” references a dozen Morgan Wallen songs, including “Whiskey Glasses,” “Sand In My Boots” and more.

By

Melinda Lorge

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

Editorial Policy

|

Posted on April 21, 2023

Share on:

Alli Leighann; Photo Courtesy of Anna Kizer

Alli Leighann may be new to the ears of many country music listeners, but at just 22 years old, she is destined for stardom. The singer/songwriter has an ease in her authentic vocals and a storytelling nature that makes her songs sound tailor-made for country radio.

The Trussville, Alabama, native has released many songs throughout her country music journey. But her brand-new track, “Wallen On Your Radio,” out today (Friday, April 21), may just be the one that takes her to the next level.

Remember when Taylor Swift first turned heads with her debut Top 10 single “Tim McGraw” or when Scotty McCreery earned his fifth No. 1 hit with “Damn Strait”? Well, Leighann’s song, which she co-wrote with Cole Miracle, Ryan Brisotti, and Linde LaChance, takes a similar approach as it pays homage to another heavy hitter – Morgan Wallen.

Alli Leighann 'Wallen On Your Radio' Single Art; Photo Courtesy of Anna Kizer
Alli Leighann ‘Wallen On Your Radio’ Single Art; Photo Courtesy of Anna Kizer

Listen To Alli Leighann’s “Wallen On Your Radio” Below

The John Newsome-produced track plays out like a breakup song as Alli Leighann ruminates over the end of a relationship and questions whether or not she should have stayed with the person she once loved. In the process, she asks her ex a myriad of questions to find out whether or not he thinks about her because she still thinks about him.

Why keep it ‘Up Down’ in your hometown that you love more than me? / Are you knocking back them ‘Whiskey Glasses’ wishing that I didn’t leave / Do I stay with you like sand in your boots everywhere you go / Is it me on your mind every time Wallens on your radio?” Leighann sings, throughout the memorable chorus, showcasing her natural country twang and angelic vocals on the cut.

“Wallen On Your Radio” References 12 Morgan Wallen Songs

Listeners may notice throughout the mid-tempo tune — which features a simple backbeat, acoustic guitars, and pedal steel — that Leighann makes references to a dozen Wallen’s hits, including “Chasin’ You,” “Sand In My Boots,” “Whiskey Glasses,” “Up Down,” “Still Goin Down,” “Your Bartender,” “Somebody’s Problem,” ”Thought You Should Know,” “865,” “This Side Of A Dust Cloud,” “Quittin Time,” and “The Way I Talk.”

“It is a lot, but some of them are mentioned more subtly than others,” Alli Leighann tells Music Mayhem of the tracks. “I remember we started listing popular Wallen songs just off [the top of] our heads to what made sense in our story, and then eventually we pulled up Morgan Wallen’s song list and went through to see if there were any more that could add something cool to the song.” 

“We wrote this song this past fall, so I had it in my back pocket. I have loved it since the day we wrote it,” the singer, who boasts 24k followers on TikTok, continues. “I decided to release it after I posted a clip of it on TikTok when Morgan Wallen did his pop-up album release party at Bridgestone Arena. The song blew up way more than any of my other videos, and people started asking when it was coming out and saying how much they loved it, so I figured I had to release it, and now would be the best time.” 

Alli Leighann Credits Morgan Wallen As A Major Influence

Adding in Wallen’s tracks was certainly intentional, as Leighann considers the Tennessee native to be one of her major influences, aside from Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert. 

“I have been such a big fan of Morgan Wallen. I think the biggest area he has influenced me in is my songwriting. I love listening to the way he writes and how it’s different but honest. I am from Alabama, so I relate to a lot of the lyrics in his songs about growing up in the South,” Leighann says. “He has not reached out, but he did like the very first TikTok I posted about the song, haha.”

Leighann has had dreams of becoming a country music artist since she was a little girl. Her first introduction to country music came by way of her grandfather, who wrote country songs for a living. Her love for the stage materialized when she attended Swift’s Fearless Tour years ago in Birmingham. 

“I remember thinking that was what I wanted to do,” Leighann recalls. 

Alli Leighann; Photo Courtesy of Edward Wall / WALL MEDIA
Alli Leighann; Photo Courtesy of Edward Wall / WALL MEDIA

Alli Leighann previously shared several songs, including “I Love Alabama,” “Tennessee Honey,” “Mr. Jones Country,” “Small Town Magic,” “Town In Tennessee,” “This Town Still Does” and more.

Recently Opened For Riley Green

As previously shared, Leighann was born and raised in Alabama. But, the rising artist, who has opened up for Riley Green and Corey Smith, has since been pursuing her musical talents in Nashville, Tenn. A short drive from Music City, she also attends Middle Tennessee State University, where she is less than a month away from graduation. 

Alli Leighann, Riley Green; Photo Provided
Alli Leighann, Riley Green; Photo Provided

After earning her degree from MTSU, Leighann says, “I will be pedal to metal playing shows and writing songs. I am hoping the release of ‘Wallen On Your Radio’ will bring in some new fans and spread my name out a little bit more and open up some new opportunities. I am very excited for the future!”

Be sure to take listen to “Wallen On Your Radio” in the link above! 

Share on:

Tagged with:

Written by

Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Music Mayhem, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.

See more posts from Melinda Lorge

You may also like