Independent country traditionalist Dave Wilbert is keeping the spirit of classic country alive. The singer, songwriter, and farmer has announced his forthcoming EP, The Good News, arriving Sept. 18 via Wilbilly Records, led by the heartfelt new single, "Let's Call It What It Is."
Available on all DSPs on Friday, July 31, the romantic ballad leans into the unmistakable sound of '90s country with a twangy guitar hook reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam and an honest message about embracing love without hesitation. Written by acclaimed Nashville songwriters Patrick Jason Matthews (Randy Travis, Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt) and Roxie Dean (Reba McEntire, Lorrie Morgan, Lee Ann Womack), the track showcases Wilbert's warm traditional vocals and timeless storytelling. "This song is about recognizing something special when it's standing right in front of you," Wilbert says. "It's about having the courage to stop overthinking and simply call love what it is."
Photo: Copper Smith
Following the upbeat summertime anthem "All Summer Long," Wilbert continues to build his reputation as one of independent country's strongest champions of traditional sounds. While his latest release shifts from small-town celebrations to matters of the heart, it remains firmly rooted in the authentic songwriting and classic production that define his style.
Recorded at The Freeway Studio, The Good News was co-produced by Wilbert alongside Nashville veterans Lonnie Wilson, Julian King, and the late Eddie Blount, Wilbert's longtime manager, friend, and collaborator, who passed away in 2025. The project serves as both a creative milestone and a heartfelt tribute to Blount, whose signature greeting inspired the EP's title. "I'm excited about this EP because it's the first project where I've been solely responsible for the entire creative process," Wilbert shares. "I'm also dedicating this EP to my late friend, manager, and co-producer Eddie Blount, who'd always start a conversation with, 'The Good News.' This is my way of carrying forward his legacy." The Good News follows Wilbert's 2025 debut album, Live From America (It's Saturday Night), which has amassed more than two million streams across digital platforms, further cementing his place among today's rising independent voices keeping traditional country music alive.