Restless Heart singer Larry Stewart is stepping outside of the group for a solo project, and he's giving Taste of Country readers the first listen to a nostalgic new track titled "If It Wasn't for the Radio."

The piano-led ballad is reminiscent of the kind of song that would have been a likely smash hit in years past, with a dramatic arrangement and a powerful lift in the chorus that compels the listener to sing along — which is exactly what the song is all about.

"Good days, heartaches, yeah that's the soundtrack of my life / It makes you feel something real, yeah it hits home every time / And all those honest melodies wouldn't have a place to go / If it wasn't for the radio," Stewart sings in the chorus.

The track features stacks of swirling vocal harmonies from Stewart's other band, the Frontmen of Country, which consists of Stewart, Richie McDonald from Lonestar and Little Texas singer Tim Rushlow.

Stewart is venturing outside of Restless Heart for a solo album, Shifting Gears, which is set for release on Friday (Sept. 7). He enlisted Grammy-winning songwriter Gordon Kennedy — whose credits include Eric Clapton, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and more — to produce the 10 new tracks, five of which Stewart co-wrote. He collaborated with Old Dominion's Trevor Rosen and award-winning songwriter Josh Osborne for one of the new songs, "Should've Run Out of Angels," which is about overcoming past transgressions. The album also features covers, including Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors."

"I got the chance to work with legendary musicians, world-class artists, songwriters, engineers, and producers on this project," Stewart says. "To be given an opportunity to make new music is a gift. To get the chance to make a new full-length album is amazing. I had some songs. I wrote some new ones. I even covered a couple that I've been wanting to sing for a long time."

"What's That Cowgirl See in Me" is the first single from Shifting Gears. The album is currently available for pre-order from iTunes and Google Play. Stewart's official website is offering pre-orders of physical CDs, which include a personalized autograph and other bonus items.

Stewart is also continuing to perform with Restless Heart on their 35th Anniversary Tour.

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