Blake Shelton may have called him “the next Mick Jagger,” and Alicia Keys “a male Gwen Stefani,” but Johnny Gates has his heart set on Nashville and has been praised for his “country rock roots.” (Billboard) The singer/songwriter released “Dive Bar” today as another track from his upcoming self-titled debut solo EP. Billboard exclusively announced the project last week and its August 30 release date, as well as a first listen of “Hell Outta Here.” Sounds Like Nashville gave fans a first listen of “Dive Bar,” praising Gates for his “infectious energy of rock with the story-driven soul of country music.”

Listen to “Dive Bar” here: soundslikenashville.com/music/johnny-gates-dive-bar-premiere/

Gates shares, “In some ways, this project is the official launch of my solo career, but in a lot of ways, I feel like I’m finishing what I started so many years ago when I first arrived in Nashville. What has always intrigued me about this city and country music is the song. While making this project, I’ve never felt more connected to the songwriting process. Some of the tracks came from a late night, with only my acoustic guitar and a half-empty beer. Others came on noisy nights when I had to stop when the sirens got too loud or the neighbors started complaining. It was as bare-bones as possible in all of the best ways. This collection of songs truly embody the spirit of why I came to Nashville in the first place, and how thrilled I am to be back.”

The project, produced by Tyler Thompson, marks Gates’ inevitable return to Music City, feeling right at home with new artists like Maren Morris, Ruston Kelly and Caitlyn Smith defying genre lines. The bona-fide performer first arrived in Nashville right out of high school as the lead singer of the Runaway Saints. After landing a record deal with Warner Brothers, the band headed west to Los Angeles. After massive tours with Rod Stewart, Ryan Cabrera, Secondhand Serenade and more, the band split leaving Gates behind with only his guitar and music still very much in his heart. After going solo, he toured the country a few more times – even packing LA’s iconic Troubadour. He went on to compete on Season 12 of NBC’s The Voice onboard Team Gwen Stefani.

JOHNNY GATES TRACK LISTING:
1. Hell Outta Here (Johnny Gates, Tyler Thompson, Lauren Luiz, Michael Costello)
2. Dive Bar (Gates, Thompson)
3. Church Girl (Gates, Thompson, Luiz, Costello)
4. Bandit (Gates)

ABOUT JOHNNY GATES:
This isn’t Johnny Gates’ first rodeo, he “knows how to hang with the ups and downs of the music industry.” (Entertainment Tonight) It was his long hair that landed the singer/songwriter the lead vocalist spot in his high school band, the Runaway Saints. After achieving great success in Rhode Island, Nashville started calling their name. The guys were greeted with a record deal at Warner Bros. and time in the studio with industry heavyweights Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Dan +Shay) and Dann Huff (Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, David Bowie). Shortly after, they took off to Los Angeles to tour with Rod Stewart, Ryan Cabrera, Secondhand Serenade and more. Off tour, LA wasn’t feeling like home and the band parted ways. Gates stayed behind with only his guitar, touring the country a few times and packing even The Troubadour. He spent some time on national television on Season 12 of The Voice, where Alicia Keys dubbed him “a male Gwen Stefani” and Blake Shelton “the next Mick Jagger.” Embraced for his “strong artistry” (Hollywood Reporter) and “insightful songwriting and keen sense of emotional flow (Parade), Gates is finally back in what he calls his musical home, Nashville, inspired by what it’s become with artists defying genre lines like Devin Dawson, Ruston Kelly, Caitlyn Smith and more. Gates will release his self-titled debut solo EP on August 30. “Bandit,” “Hell Outta Here” and “Dive Bar” from the project are available now.