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Today, award-winning Platinum Country quartet, James Barker Band, kick off their new chapter with the release of their infectious new track, “You Didn’t Hear it From Me.” The single marks the band's first release since reuniting with Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, underscoring the impact of James Barker Band and their enduring sound.

“You Didn’t Hear It From Me,” captures the raw emotion of heartbreak in a close-knit, rumour-filled world of a small town. Written from the perspective of someone caught between vulnerability and pride, the song explores the unspoken pain of running into your ex’s friends while trying to keep your composure. With poignant lyrics and heartfelt delivery, the track conveys the all too relatable feeling of wanting your heartbreak to stay a secret—yet secretly hoping your ex knows just how much they’re missed. “You Didn’t Hear It From Me” is accompanied by the official music video, available here.  

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“I've got a lot of first-hand experience on going through a breakup in a small town,” shares James Barker (lead vocals/guitar). “and this song was our way of trying to find a new angle on what that looks like. You always end up running into your ex's friends and then have to try and act like nothing's wrong, when the truth is you're dying inside. It's not cool in a small town to tell anyone that you're hurting, which is kind of the whole idea of the song, it's like "please don't tell her, but also please tell her."

James Barker Band is proof that big dreams can grow from small-town roots. Made up of James Barker (lead vocals/guitar), Connor Stephen (drums), Taylor Abram (guitar/background vocals) and Bobby Martin (bass), their big break came in 2015 at the Emerging Artist Showcase at Boots and Hearts Music Festival, where their raw talent and undeniable charm earned them the top prize. That victory was a launchpad, leading to a record deal with Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, and the release of their breakout single, “Lawn Chair Lazy,” in 2017. The laid-back anthem quickly gained traction and earned Platinum certification, but it was just the beginning. Their subsequent singles have also earned vast achievements and acclaim. 

Fueled by friendship, grit, and a shared love for storytelling, the band has gone from local dive bars to headlining stages across North America and Europe, amassing over 295 million global streams, 12 Gold and Platinum certifications, and the unwavering devotion of fans along the way. Their bustling catalogue has seen a string of successful tracks earning them vast achievements and acclaim including multiple No. 1 Canadian country radio hits, a Billboard Canada Country Chart No.1, a number of CCMA and CMAO awards and a JUNO Award for Country Album of the Year. 

But beyond their record-breaking metrics and awards, James Barker Band’s magic lies in their connection, to each other, to their roots, and to the fans who see themselves in their songs. Every note they play is a tribute to the small towns that raised them, the families that support them, and the communities that keep showing up to cheer them on. With their grounded ethos, infectious energy, and heartfelt storytelling, James Barker Band has made it clear: they’re not just chasing dreams, they’re sharing them. As they continue their rise in Canada, Nashville, and beyond, the band remains the same four humble friends who started it all, proof that sometimes, the best stories come from the simplest beginnings.

With this, the multi-award-winning four-piece is continuing its steadfast ascent in Canada, Nashville and beyond as they reunite with their home country label Universal Music Canada and gear up for a year of new music.