Famous and on-the-rise Louisiana recording artists, including country star Lainey Wilson, 2025 “American Idol” finalist John Foster and line-dance king Cupid, recently released new music.
Here’s a rundown:
JUSTIN GARNER AND CUPID
Rhythm-and-blues singer Justin Garner joins Cupid, the line-dance king from Lafayette, for “Midnight Is for Lovers.” The destined-for-the-dance-floor track is Garner’s first fusion of Southern soul and line dance with his signature romantic R&B-pop.
Popular for decades though line dancing has been, it exploded this year on the heels of South Carolina singer 803Fresh’s “Boots on the Ground.” That song’s official music video has 11 million YouTube views.
Garner wants to capitalize on this latest line-dance craze.
“I’ve been performing pretty much all over the U.S.,” the Plaquemine native said. “The one thing people have been asking for from me is something up-tempo. A dance record. So, I wanted to do something up-tempo that has a two-step feel to it. Cupid is the perfect artist to drive that sound home.”
Cupid — known for his multimillion-selling 2007 hit, “Cupid Shuffle,” and 2021 single, “Flex” — met Garner in 2019 at the Essence Festival in New Orleans.
At the festival, Garner recalled, “Cupid stopped me and said, ‘Hey, I love your work.’ I said the same to him. We wanted to work together. So, now is the time to showcase two Louisiana artists together on a song.”
Cupid is his friend, mentor and peer, Garner said.
“Over the years, we’ve always supported each other from sidelines. Our journeys are similar. We’re both from small towns and have big dreams. I’m honored to have Cupid on the track.”
Originally conceived by Garner as a solo recording, “Midnight Is for Lovers” evolved into a duet.
“I kept feeling as though someone was missing,” he said. “The person who came to mind was Cupid. The vocals and the harmony and the melody are reminiscent of Earth, Wind, & Fire and the Jackson 5, but the two-step and Southern soul are in there as well. With Cupid on the record, it’s the perfect marriage of genres.”
Garner’s next show is Aug. 9 at Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club in New Orleans.
LAINEY WILSON
“Over the Rainbow,” the heart-tugging ballad popularized by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” inspired Lainey Wilson’s latest single. In “Somewhere Over Loredo,” Wilson sings and dreams of rodeo nights in the little border town where she once knew her true love. The “Wizard of Oz” references include the little dog who co-stars in the song.
“Somewhere Over Loredo” is one of five new songs on the deluxe edition of Wilson’s 2024 album, “Whirlwind,” to be released Aug. 22. The Grammy-, CMA- and ACM-winning singer from Baskin — the biggest music star from Louisiana in years — will perform Sept. 11 and 12 at Raising Cane’s River Center Arena in Baton Rouge and Sept. 13 at Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City.
Wilson will also join Mumford & Sons for their “Railroad Revival Tour” show Aug. 3 at Champions Square in New Orleans.
JOHN FOSTER
Addis native John Foster and the other finalists in season 23 of “American Idol” have released their postseason singles. Foster previewed his song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” on the April 20 episode of “American Idol.” Foster wrote the song in memory of Maggie Dunn, a friend and fellow Brusly High School student. Dunn, 17, and Caroline Gill, 16, were killed on New Year’s Eve 2022 when an Addis police officer ran a red light during a high-speed chase.
Since Foster’s rise to runner-up on “American Idol,” he’s performed twice at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Following his Opry debut on June 7, he returned for a second appearance on July 9, his 19th birthday. Foster’s next Baton Rouge performances are Aug. 1 and 2 at The Texas Club. He returns to the Grand Ole Opry on Aug. 21.
LVVRS
A pop-rock band from Lafayette, LVVRS has issued its latest single, “The Bed.” It precedes the October release of LVVRS’ second EP, “Heaven and the Heartland.”
Led by singer-songwriter River Gibson, LVVRS made its second consecutive appearance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in April. This October, the band will play its debut performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
LVVRS’ song “Backseat Bliss” appeared in Season 6 of the Netflix series “Love Is Blind.” Another of the band’s songs, “Hypnotic Love,” appeared in Season 1 of Netflix’s “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On.” The band made a cameo appearance in the Baton Rouge-filmed “The Iron Claw,” the 2023 film starring Zac Efron and Lily James.
KAREN WALDRUP
Mandeville native Karen Waldrup, a Top 5 finalist in season 25 of “The Voice,” recently released “Blue Cowboy Boots.” It’s a breakup song with an upbeat message.
“It feels good putting a dead-end relationship behind you,” Waldrup said. “The word ‘blue’ isn’t about regret, but rather about freedom. Rodeo, cowboy lingo is fun. It feels good putting on your favorite boots and getting happy.”
A Nashville resident since her graduation from the University of Southern Mississippi, Waldrup co-wrote “Blue Cowboy Boots” with Ed Hill, the Grammy-nominated songwriter whose recording artists cuts include Trisha Yearwood and Tracy Lawrence. “Blue Cowboy Boots” follows the singer’s previously released seven studio albums and more than 50 singles.
