It’s been well over a year since we last heard from Krystal King, but that didn’t mean she was dormant. She was putting in work behind the scenes to create what she plans to be a big 2022, and the first glimpse she’s given into that work is her twanging new single, “Rhinestone Ring.”
Released as the ball dropped and welcomed 2022, “Rhinestone Ring” opens with a honky tonk guitar riff before a boot-stomping drum beat takes control of King’s new single of a honky tonk marriage.
We caught up with King to talk all about “Rhinestone Ring,” her big plans for 2022, hitting the road and more!
Pro Country: Your last single, “Slow Love,” has become your second most-streamed single on Spotify, and was a song that you told us was a bit differently sonically for you. How rewarding was it to see that sonic “risk” and expanding your sound pay off?
Krystal King: It was really fun to release something different! “Slow Love” still fit into my 90s country style, but was a little more contemporary than my previous releases. As an independent artist, I strive to always expand my sound and try new things, while also staying true to my values and my roots. I’m very lucky to get to put out the music that I like, while also seeing what resonates with my audience.
PC: Your new single, “Rhinestone Ring,” is your first single release in a year and a half. How excited were you to get new music out to start 2022 and to end that time away?
KK: It felt so, so good to finally release something new. I’ve been hard at work behind the scenes, and it was exciting and thrilling to give a small taste of what I’ve been working on and what I have planned for 2022!
PC: Why did you feel that “Rhinestone Ring” was the right song to return with and to follow “Slow Love”?
KK: I actually was not planning to release “Rhinestone Ring” at all. I demoed the song to have it for pitches, sync or general promotion, and I fell in love with it all over again after hearing the production. I honestly just felt like the song was very me. It was a culmination of all my influences. I simply put it out because I loved it.
PC: Can you take us in the room and talk about the inspiration behind “Rhinestone Ring”?
KK: This song was the result of my very first co-write with my good friend Stefani Joyce (who has co-written three songs on my upcoming album). I brought in the hook and the idea of a honky tonk wedding down on Broadway. From there, we just had fun with it. There was a lot of laughter and fun energy in the room.
PC: You’ve teased a forthcoming seven-song EP called Housefire. What information can you give about the release? What can listeners expect to hear?
KK: YESS!! I’m so stoked. This album is a combination of country with a variety of other styles. It really holds the lyrics in the spotlight and is a story at its core. Almost all of the songs work toward a common theme of the struggles in a household; from cheating, murder, leaving or just trying to keep a love alive. I’m looking forward to releasing the first song from this project by summertime.
PC: Of the things you can control, what are your plans for 2022?
KK: First off, I have a tour with the great Kirstie Kraus in Florida the end of this month in both February and March! I am so excited to hit the road this year and tour in some other areas. I plan to continue releasing music consistently and start writing for my next project. I also plan to love on my family and try to work on that whole life/work balance thing everyone talks about.
*”Rhinestone Ring” is featured on The Best of Pro Country playlist!*
Pro Country 
Keep up the amazing work Krystal!
Bob
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