Todd Stephen – Highway 31 (Single Review)

Today’s review features the new single “Highway 31” by Todd Stephen.

Todd has over 25 years of experience in performing professionally on stages of all sizes in various groups, as well as performing solo. From small coffee houses to county fairs to the Ernie Ball Stage of the Vans Warped Tour, Todd has a way of engaging and captivating his audience at any level. With his powerful voice and poignant, heartfelt lyrics, Todd can make any show feel intimate and special.

Todd Stephen is a Michigan-born singer, guitarist, and songwriter whose music is rooted in the landscapes and stories of the Great Lakes region. His warm vocals and melodic guitar-driven sound reflect a lifetime of memories made travelling “up north,” where family trips, rugged forests, and endless lakes shaped his creative identity. This new single begins the radio promotion of his music ahead of his upcoming 2026 tour.

“Highway 31” is a cinematic, nostalgic road-trip anthem inspired by Todd’s real experiences growing up in Michigan and travelling “up north” with his family. The song reflects the unforgettable traditions of northern Michigan—bonfires, lakeside nights, long drives beneath pine trees, and the memories that stay with you for a lifetime. The new single is an Americana, Country Rock, Singer-Songwriter track, fitting nicely into AAA, Americana, Country, Indie, and Folk radio formats.

In my last review of Todd’s single “Leavin Song,” I rated the song “Excellent” and said, “Todd Stephen has a country voice reminiscent of Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell.” You can read that full review here

So let’s have a listen …

The new single kicks off with a swamp-sounding electric guitar pounding some heavy chords against a banjo fingerpicking an arpeggiated riff. The verse is fairly typical in its chord progression, but then opens up into the following chorus:

“Let me tell you about bonfires with gasoline.
Sunsets like you’ve never seen.
Pine trees. Northern lights.
Swimming in the lake and make it last all night.
Climb on up and put the windows down.
Kicking up dust in this country town.
If you’re like me, you like your whiskey wild!”

Very nice bridge after the second chorus, complete with a sizzling electric guitar solo, then back into the banjo riff for a short third verse, and into the final chorus. I like my whiskey wild. Don’t you?

The song has a really nice country radio vibe and feel, which would be perfect for modern or traditional country stations.

SCORE/Outstanding: Todd Stephen’s new single “Highway 31” is everything you would expect from a modern country song. Perfect for modern or traditional country radio. Todd’s voice, reminiscent of Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell, soars above a great arrangement, performance, and production. Definitely put this one in your playlist! Much love, Beth

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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