GRAMMY Amplifier Winner Wes-Tone Releases ‘Diamond in the Rough’

2015 GRAMMY Amplifier winner Wes-Tone is releasing a new single, "Diamond in the Rough," which afforded him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Wes-Tone was one of three winners of the initiative, which invited musicians from across all genres to submit songs for fans to listen to and share across social media — or "Amplify" — to help choose 25 finalists. Three-time GRAMMY winner Mark Ronson served as the 2015 GRAMMY Amplifier Ambassador along with this year’s program curators, GRAMMY winners The Band Perry, Ziggy Marley and singer-songwriter Allen Stone.

The Minneapolis-based Americana artist won the opportunity to record with GRAMMY-winning producer Ben Fowler on his original composition, which features singer/songwriter Danielle Diamond, who inspired the lyrics.

“The Hyundai GRAMMY Amplifier studio session raised the bar for me and gave me higher standards to aspire towards,” Wes-Tone says in a press release. “Collaborating with Fowler and the high caliber studio musicians opened my eyes to the next level of music production. I’m inspired to continue refining my craft and take it even further.”

“It was really a pleasure to work with Wes-Tone,” Fowler states. “He was professional, collaborative and eager to absorb any knowledge that he could. He really took full advantage of the opportunity that the GRAMMYs afforded him.”

“It’s so gratifying to be involved with the GRAMMY/Hyundai Amplifier program and to see aspiring artists being given their chance to develop and realize a dream,” The Band Perry add. "The opportunity for Wes-Tone to work with Ben will no doubt provide him with not only an unforgettable experience, but with knowledge that he’ll take as he moves along through his musical journey.”

Country Now also debuted a behind-the-scenes video capturing the two-day recording session at Nashville's Ocean Way Studios. View that clip above, and listen to "Diamond in the Rough" below.

Listen to Wes-Tone, "Diamond in the Rough"

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