Zach John King releases “Get To Drinkin’” as 49 Winchester sets “Change of Plans” album date
Two new Nashville-area releases highlight different paths in modern country’s next wave
Two country projects landing on Friday, February 6, 2026, reflect the range of strategies emerging artists are using to build momentum: a standalone single aimed at streaming-first discovery and a formally announced full-length album rollout anchored by a high-profile producer partnership.
Singer-songwriter Zach John King released “Get To Drinkin’,” a new single distributed across major digital platforms. The track arrives as King continues a steady pattern of singles and EP-era output after breaking through online and moving into label-backed releases in the mid-2020s. Retail and platform listings identify “Get To Drinkin’” as a 2026 release tied to Sony Music Entertainment licensing, positioning it as an early-year entry in his catalog and a continuation of his radio-ready, contemporary country lane.
“Get To Drinkin’” centers on a familiar country narrative device: alcohol as both catalyst and confessional, where late-night certainty collides with morning-after reality.
The song’s framing leans into self-awareness rather than swagger, describing how drinking can reshape memory and judgment. That thematic choice aligns with a broader trend in current mainstream and adjacent country: mid-tempo tracks built around internal monologue, with the hook designed for quick recognition in short-form and playlist contexts.
49 Winchester maps a full album cycle with producer Dave Cobb
In a different corner of the genre, 49 Winchester confirmed details for its next studio album, “Change of Plans,” scheduled for release May 15, 2026. The six-piece band—formed in Castlewood, Virginia and long associated with a Southern rock and country-soul blend—attached the project to Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb and the Lucille Records/MCA pipeline, signaling a larger-scale push than the band’s earlier, more grassroots growth stages.
Album materials list 10 tracks, including “Pardon Me,” released as a lead single, and a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes,” previously shared as an early indicator of the project’s tonal direction. Recording and credit information places sessions at Thunderbolt Sound in Savannah, Georgia, with mixing credited to Cobb and Tom Tapley and mastering in Nashville.
Album: “Change of Plans”
Artist: 49 Winchester
Release date: May 15, 2026
Producer: Dave Cobb
Lead single in the rollout: “Pardon Me”
What the timing suggests
Released the same day, King’s single and 49 Winchester’s album announcement underline two realities of today’s country ecosystem: a constant demand for new music in the streaming cycle, and the continuing value of a traditional album campaign when paired with recognizable production credentials and a clearly staged release calendar. Together, they add to a February slate that is already shaping up as an early marker for how country’s next tier intends to compete for attention in 2026.