Caylee Hammack just released her debut album, If It Wasn’t For You, and she experienced a surreal moment during the process of putting together her record when she realized a dream come true — she got to record a song with the iconic Reba McEntire. The song, titled “Redhead” is a fitting tribute to all the fiery gingers in the world.
“Having a song I get to sing with Reba McEntire is a dream come true. It definitely is a childhood dream of mine that I never, honestly, thought could ever happen,” says Caylee. “But God has been so good to me to connect me to wonderful people that I look up to (and) that I’ve always admired, and I admire even more when I get to know them personally. Reba McEntire is such a professional. She’s such a businesswoman, but also so kindhearted and good willed. Just working with her, it was truly a dream that I never thought could come true.”
Caylee was supposed to tour as Reba’s opening act this spring and summer, but the tour — along with many others — were postponed until next year because of COVID-19. Caylee is making the most of it, though, hosting virtual concerts with her friends and CMT every week or having socially distanced backporch parties with pals Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes.
Audio / Caylee Hammack says working with the iconic Reba McEntire is a childhood dream come true.
Caylee Hammack (working with Reba) OC: …come true. :37 “Having a song I get to sing with Reba McEntire is a dream come true. It definitely is a childhood dream of mine that I never, honestly, thought could ever happen. But God has been so good to me to connect me to wonderful people that I look up to (and) that I’ve always admired, and I admire even more when I get to know them personally. Reba McEntire is such a professional. She’s such a businesswoman, but also so kindhearted and good willed. Just working with her, it was truly a dream that I never thought could come true.”
“Larger than life, glowing with punk-rock energy, an electric technicolor persona” (HITS) breakout singer/songwriter Caylee Hammack’s debut album IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU is available today. Hammack, who wrote and produced every track on the 13-song collection, will kick off her first-ever album release week with a full-band livestream of the whole record tonight on YouTube and Facebook at 6pm CT. Hammack has also invited special guests, friends and album collaborators Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes to join her during the livestream event, available to watch here.
“The support I have felt from the minute this album was released has been overwhelming,” said Hammack. “If it wasn’t for every person on my team, every person willing to listen to a new artist and emotionally invest in them, and my family, I wouldn’t have been able to create this album. So thank you. Thank you so very much. I feel free in a way I’ve never felt before with this album out in the world now.”
Critics have been quick to praise Hammack’s debut album and the vulnerable songs on the collection:
“A dynamic singer and equally memorable songwriter, Hammack’s soulful vocals and descriptive lyrics shine.” – Billboard
“Manages to thread the needle beautifully” – American Songwriter
“A lavish feast of autobiographical storytelling, served up with catchy hooks and the singer’s power-packed voice.” – PEOPLE
“Songs filled with smart, shit-kicking energy” – Rolling Stone
“It’s safe to say that Caylee Hammack has one of the wildest life stories of any rising artist at the moment, and there is no doubt she’s born for a life in music.” – CMT
“Songwriter/producer/full-throttle vocalist’s positivity-seeking If It Wasn’t for You includes the perky down-home “Family Tree, the Kacey Musgraves-feeling “Small Town Hypocrite” and the clever Southern charm kiss-off “Preciatcha” – HITS
“Known for her mix of clever lyrics and haunting melodies” – Music Row
“Shows off a strong voice and a stronger disposition.” – Star Tribune
“Hammack writes with a keen sense of observation and clever lyrics” – Taste Of Country
“One of Country’s most promising newcomers” – Variety
IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU takes listeners on an intimate journey, from Hammack growing up in Ellaville, GA, braving a medical scare and coming out the other side of a bad love that was the catalyst for her turning down a scholarship to Belmont University and ultimately arriving in Nashville, TN. The LP exudes that Hammack is all about the truth, the complete, whole unvarnished truth. Some of country music’s most potent women have also thrown in on Hammack’s debut. With appearances by Reba, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes, Hammack is setting a bar for women across the genre. Hammack also continues to show her reverence for classic country music, just releasing a collaboration with Country music icon Alan Jackson: a special rendition of Don Williams’ “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.”
Currently nominated for ACM “New Female Artist Of The Year” and “Music Event Of The Year,” Caylee Hammack has been noted as an “Artist To Watch” by outlets including The Bobby Bones Show, Rolling Stone and HITS Magazine for her “voice to move mountains” (Rolling Stone). With her breakout Top 30 single “Family Tree” marking the most-added single at Country radio by a female artist in over three years, Hammack, the Capitol Nashville recording artist has previously brought her unforgettable live set to opening slots for Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, Brothers Osborne and some of country music’s biggest festivals. For more information visit www.cayleehammack.com.
Caylee Hammack (debut album) OC: …to tell you. :29
“Working on my debut album, it is the first time I’ve actually truly had a voice of my own. It’s the first time I’ve actually got to sing my own songs. It’s the first time I get to be heard, which is so exciting and something that as an artist we yearn and dream of every night when we go to bed. Every single song on this record is a little part of me that I’ve turned into a story to tell you.”
Caylee Hammack will release her debut album, If It Wasn’t For You, on Friday (August 14th). The thoughtful Georgia born-and-bred singer-songwriter penned all 13 tracks on the collection, including “Just Friends,” “Family Tree,” “Redhead” (which is a duet with Reba McEntire). She titled the collection, If It Wasn’t For You, to honor all of those who helped make her dream of being a country music artist a reality.
“The album was named If It Wasn’t For You, because I could not have made this record in any capacity without all of the people in my life – my family who have encouraged me from day one; God being able to give me ideas and lining me up with people to make it; every single person listening. They don’t understand how important it is that they listen so I could be heard. If it wasn’t for everyone, none of this would happen.”
Currently nominated for ACM “New Female Artist Of The Year” and “Music Event Of The Year,” Caylee Hammack has been noted as an “Artist To Watch” by outlets including The Bobby Bones Show, Rolling Stone and HITS Magazine for her “mix of clever lyrics and haunting melodies” (Music Row). With her breakout Top 30 single “Family Tree” marking the most-added single at Country radio by a female artist in over three years, Hammack has “created a kind of country music that’s larger—and brighter—than real life”(HITS Magazine). The Capitol Nashville recording artist has previously brought her unforgettable live set to opening slots for Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, Brothers Osborne and some of country music’s biggest festivals. For more information visit cayleehammack.com
Audio / Caylee Hammack talks about naming her debut album, If It Wasn't For You.
Caylee Hammack (album title) OC: …Wasn’t For You. :29 “The album was named If It Wasn’t For You, because I could not have made this record in any capacity without all of the people in my life – my family who have encouraged me from day one; God being able to give me ideas and lining me up with people to make it; every single person listening. They don’t understand how important it is that they listen so I could be heard. If it wasn’t for everyone, none of this would happen. So, the record is named If It Wasn’t For You.”
Capitol Nashville’s Caylee Hammack is sharing more of her unique journey with the gripping new song “Forged In The Fire,” available here. Taken from her forthcoming debut album IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU available on August 14, the autobiographical track details how Hammack’s house burned down while she was away on a songwriting retreat losing just about everything – except for a few song-inspiring pieces such as her grandmother’s quilt. Written by Hammack, with Thomas Finchum and Andy Skib, the song’s lyrics are thought-provoking asking “When does a phoenix learn how to fly, Do I get my wings when I stop asking why.” Hammack revealed more behind the song in a special interview and video premiere exclusively with PEOPLE, who declares her anticipated debut album as a “lavish feast of autobiographical storytelling, served up with catchy hooks and the singer’s power-packed voice” available here.
“My father used to tell me that all of the strongest and most beautiful things are forged in fire. Iron is weak until you work it in fire. Glass can’t be blown without immense heat,” elaborated Hammack. “I grew up with this saying as a motto handed down when I needed reminding and it was rarely thought of; until I had an electrical fire at my home in 2017. I lost so much, but gained so much more. I learned that material things don’t matter. The people who surrounded me and helped me find the salvageable pieces loved me and I wasn’t alone through the hardship. Life was dark at the time, but the love I felt around me was deep. God’s seen me through, and also given me some stories to tell. What more could I ask for?”
Hammack’s upcoming debut record IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU takes listeners on an intimate journey, from growing up in Ellaville, GA, braving a medical scare and coming out the other side of a bad love that was the catalyst for her turning down a scholarship to Belmont University and ultimately arriving in Nashville, TN. With Hammack co-writing and co-producing every track on the 13-song collection, the album exudes that Hammack is all about the truth, the complete, whole unvarnished truth. Some of country music’s most potent women have also thrown in on Hammack’s debut. With appearances by Reba, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes, Hammack is setting a bar for women across the genre. Hammack also continues to show her reverence for classic country music, just releasing a collaboration with Country music icon Alan Jackson: a special rendition of Don Williams’ “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.”
Currently nominated for ACM “New Female Artist Of The Year” and “Music Event Of The Year,” Caylee Hammack has been noted as an “Artist To Watch” by outlets including The Bobby Bones Show, Rolling Stone and HITS Magazine for her “voice to move mountains” (Rolling Stone). With her breakout Top 30 single “Family Tree” marking the most-added single at Country radio by a female artist in over three years, Hammack has “created a kind of country music that’s larger—and brighter—than real life” (HITS Magazine). The Capitol Nashville recording artist has previously brought her unforgettable live set to opening slots for Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, Brothers Osborne and some of country music’s biggest festivals. For more information visit www.cayleehammack.com.
Capitol Nashville’s Caylee Hammack continues to hold high her reverence for classic country music, today releasing a collaboration with Country music icon Alan Jackson: a special rendition of Don Williams’ “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.” Produced by Dave Cobb, the new track is available to stream here, Hammack and Jackson’s unique vocals complement each other on the song’s timely message of optimism and hope.
“This song has held a special place in my heart since childhood,” shared Hammack. “And, during the past few months at home, I have found myself frequently visiting songs I grew up on because of the comfort it has brought me, especially this one. It has always been a golden classic in my heart and I believe in many others; and it’s message felt much needed today. Alan Jackson was gracious enough to bring his voice and heart to this song and made it feel like chicken noodle soup for the country music soul. I just feel very honored to be able to send our rendition out into the world today!”
“It’s so nice to be able to finally record one of my favorite Don Williams songs with a great message for today and to be able to sing it with another Georgia native with a sweet voice,” added Jackson.
Hammack just announced her major label debut album IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU will be available on August 14. Currently nominated for two ACM Awards Hammack, who co-wrote and co-produced every song on the 13-track set, takes listeners on an intimate journey. From growing up in Ellaville, GA, braving a medical scare and coming out the other side of a bad love that was the catalyst for her turning down a scholarship to Belmont University and ultimately arriving in Nashville, TN. Some of country music’s most potent women have also thrown in on Hammack’s debut including Reba, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes.
About Caylee Hammack:
Currently nominated for ACM “New Female Artist Of The Year” and “Music Event Of The Year,” Caylee Hammack has been noted as an “Artist To Watch” by outlets including The Bobby Bones Show, Rolling Stone and HITS Magazine for her “voice to move mountains” (Rolling Stone). With her breakout Top 30 single “Family Tree” marking the most-added single at Country radio by a female artist in over three years, Hammack has “created a kind of country music that’s larger—and brighter—than real life”(HITS Magazine). The Capitol Nashville recording artist has previously brought her unforgettable live set to opening slots for Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, Brothers Osborne and some of country music’s biggest festivals. For more information visit www.cayleehammack.com.
About Alan Jackson: A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and an inductee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Alan Jackson’s membership among music’s all-time greats is part of a long line of career-defining accolades that include three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors, more than 25 years of membership in the Grand Ole Opry, a Billboard ranking as one of the Top 10 Country Artists of All-Time, induction to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Heritage Award as the most-performed country songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years. The man from rural Newnan, GA has sold nearly 60-million albums worldwide, ranks as one of the 10 best-selling male vocalists of all-time (rock, pop and country). He has released more than 60 singles – registering 50 Top Ten hits and 35 #1s (including 26 Billboard chart-toppers). He has earned more than 150 major music industry awards – including 19 Academy of Country Music Awards, 16 Country Music Association Awards, a pair of Grammys and ASCAP’s Founders and Golden Note Awards. Jackson is one of the most successful and respected singer-songwriters in music. He’s also the man behind one of Nashville’s most-popular tourist stops, AJ’s Good Time Bar, a four-story honky-tonk in the heart of downtown featuring daily live music and a rooftop view of Music City.
Capitol Nashville’s Caylee Hammack is offering fans a look into her recently-announced upcoming debut record today, releasing her scorching new song “Redhead” that is “as badass and unique as a fiery head of hair” (Rolling Stone), featuring superstar Reba McEntire available to listen here. Co-written by Hammack with Natalie Hemby and Trent Dabbs, the song details the clothes line, tightrope and dare devil high hopes childhood of the brazen “Redhead” with an assist from fellow flame-haired vocalist Reba McEntire.
Hammack also premiered a music video for the track today exclusively with CMT, CMT Music and CMT.com, available to watch here. Directed by Justin Clough, the video filled with personality, confidence and persuasion takes viewers back to a little redhead’s childhood, living life in a double-wide trailer as her parents attempt to handle their daughter’s fervor. Hammack’s dynamic performance revels in the nostalgia.
“This song was inspired by an older cousin of mine with fiery red hair,” shared Hammack. “You don’t hear about redheads very much in songs, so I simply wanted to write one for her and all the redheads in my family. Then, Reba came in the studio and TRANSFORMED this song. She helped me create an anthem for all redheads. Whether you get it naturally or find it in a bottle, this is for the firecrackers!”
Hammack is all about the truth, the complete, whole unvarnished truth. That truth stains IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU, her major label debut, with equal doses joy, courage and enough detail to break an axle. Available on August 14 Hammack announced the upcoming and anticipated debut release this week, with Hammack co-writing and co-producing every track on the 13-song collection that is available to pre-order now here.
Currently nominated for ACM “New Female Artist Of The Year” and “Music Event Of The Year,” Caylee Hammack has been noted as an “Artist To Watch” by outlets including The Bobby Bones Show, Rolling Stone and HITS Magazine for her “mix of clever lyrics and haunting melodies” (Music Row). With her breakout Top 30 single “Family Tree” marking the most-added single at Country radio by a female artist in over three years, Hammack has “created a kind of country music that’s larger—and brighter—than real life”(HITS Magazine). The Capitol Nashville recording artist has previously brought her unforgettable live set to opening slots for Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, Brothers Osborne and some of country music’s biggest festivals. For more information visit cayleehammack.com
Caylee Hammack (Redhead) 1 OC: … just love her. 40
“Being able to work with Reba McEntire was truly a childhood dream come true. It was a dream that I never even knew I had a chance of accomplishing or reaching, but she was so kind to me and so generous to be able to come in and learn this song and sing it with me. It is such an honor to work with a professional business woman like that, a legend in her career field and a legend in many other ways as well. She is just such an idol of mine and I’m just so grateful she was willing to step in and sing this crazy song with me. I just love her.”
Eric Church, Brothers Osborne, Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi, Maddie & Tae, Lauren Alaina, Jordan Davis, Brandon Lay, Caylee Hammack, Travis Denning, Kassi Ashton, Kylie Morgan and many others are set to perform during the livestream television special, CMA Summer Stay-Cay, on Wednesday, July 1st, hosted by Jimmie Allen and Lindsey Ell. The event will feature performances, games, Q&As and much more.
Caylee Hammack is all about the truth, the complete, whole unvarnished truth. That truth stains IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU, her major label debut, with equal doses joy, courage and enough detail to break an axle. Available on August 14 “one of Country’s most promising newcomers” (Variety) Caylee Hammack announced the upcoming and anticipated debut release today, with Hammack co-writing and co-producing every track on the 13-song collection.
Hammack offered more insight into the forthcoming release, sharing the meaning behind the record’s name as she performs a new track on the album, “Gold,” available to watch here.
“I feel like I’m airing all my dirty laundry in this album in hopes of others feeling that honesty and vulnerability and in it, finding a safe haven to be themselves,” said Hammack. “I want the nitty gritty to shine through, that’s where the stories are. Every song on this record has a true story behind it, and now I can’t wait to tell those once people listen to the album!”
Currently nominated for two ACM Awards, Hammack takes listeners on an intimate journey, from growing up in Ellaville, GA, braving a medical scare and coming out the other side of a bad love that was the catalyst for her turning down a scholarship to Belmont University and ultimately arriving in Nashville, TN. Destiny – and a big lion heart – wouldn’t let the girl who saw Loretta Lynn at the Columbus Civic Center at 13 miss her life’s purpose. You can hear it in the quavering homage in “Sister,” the wide open power-resilience of “Mean Something,” or the straight up country of “Forged In The Fire” and the piercing truths of “Small Town Hypocrite.”
Some of country music’s most potent women have also thrown in on Hammack’s debut. Whether it’s Reba’s sassy “girl, I know” vocal on “Redhead” or singer/songwriters Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes on “Mean Something,” Hammack is setting a bar for women across the genre.
It’s not just the lyrical load, though nearly every word is true. Just as importantly, the ferocity with which Hammack and co-producer Mikey Reaves came at these songs compels. As a producer, Hammack seeks to match the emotion to the recording. It’s not enough to hear the story, she wants listeners to experience the viscerality of it. Whether it’s the swaggering Tammy Wynette come uppance “Just Like You” or vulnerability and awe that permeates “Looking For A Lighter,” these tracks pull the listener in. Hammack understands, because her feelings fall around her in songs.
Currently nominated for ACM “New Female Artist Of The Year” and “Music Event Of The Year,” Caylee Hammack has been noted as an “Artist To Watch” by outlets including The Bobby Bones Show, Rolling Stone and HITS Magazine for her “voice to move mountains” (Rolling Stone). With her breakout Top 30 single “Family Tree” marking the most-added single at Country radio by a female artist in over three years, Hammack has “created a kind of country music that’s larger—and brighter—than real life”(HITS Magazine). The Capitol Nashville recording artist has previously brought her unforgettable live set to opening slots for Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, Brothers Osborne and some of country music’s biggest festivals. For more information visit https://www.cayleehammack.com/.
Audio / Caylee Hammack talks about her debut album.
Caylee Hammack (debut album) OC: …to tell you. :29
“Working on my debut album, it is the first time I’ve actually truly had a voice of my own. It’s the first time I’ve actually got to sing my own songs. It’s the first time I get to be heard, which is so exciting and something that as an artist we yearn and dream of every night when we go to bed. Every single song on this record is a little part of me that I’ve turned into a story to tell you.”
Adam Hambrick (Father’s Day-Dad) OC: …about my dad. :45 “When I was a kid, my dad always included me on what he was doing. I feel like I learned a lot from watching go about life and watching him treat people well and with kindness. My dad is a pastor and I watched, my whole growing up, I just watched him serve other people, like put other people’s needs in front of himself and show up in the hospital when Sister Jeanette had surgery or whatever that thing was like any given day, it could be anything. I watched him tile floors in a new Sunday School building. I watched him do literally everything for a ton of different people in a really selfless way. That’s one of the things I admire most about my dad.”
Audio / ALAN JACKSON ALLOWED HIS THREE DAUGHTERS TO LIVE AND LEARN.
AJ (parenting style) OC: …what they did. :19 “We try to be just not pushy hands-on parents. We let them live and be their own way. I’m not stern with them. You know, I’m funny and light, and try to give them guidance and let them live and learn their own ways. And that’s something, I think, my parents did. It was accidental, but that’s what they did.”
Audio / Brandon Lay celebrated his first Father’s Day last year with his then nine-month-old son, Ryder. His wife Nicole gave birth to their second child, daughter Lara June, nearly two weeks ago. Brandon explains some of his favorite moments as a dad.
Brandon Lay (Father’s Day 2020) OC: …to experience. :21 “Honestly, the best thing about fatherhood is just someone that looks up to you. My favorite moments are when (Ryder) is scared and I’m there or he wants to figure out something and I’m there, or he needs lifting up and I’m there. I think that’s a God-given gratification that’s really cool to experience.”
Audio / Brandon Lay is now a father of two since his wife gave birth to their second child, Lara June, last week.
Brandon Lay (father of two) OC: …embrace. :26 “Oh man! Now that I’m a father of two, it’s really it goes from more than just keeping one little guy alive and still having more me and Nicole time to wow, I’m actually a father. We’ve got a party of four now, not that I wasn’t before a father, but you know what I mean. I’m reaching real dad status. It’s a weird feeling, but it’s one I embrace.”
Audio / Brothers Osborne grew up in a musical family – both their parents wrote and performed music. Their father listened to a bunch of different artists which gave them their own foundation.
Brothers Osborne (Dad’s music) OC: (John) …anything else. :34 “Our dad listened to everything from Hank Williams to Willie Nelson to even pop music like Mariah Carey and Tom Petty to Bob Seger. You name it and he listened to it, so we really didn’t think about specific genres. We really just kind of soaked it all in, so we listened to it all at one time. It was just music to us. Th ere wasn’t a day in our house without the radio on or there wasn’t a weekend at our house that there wasn’t a party and people had their guitars out, so music to us is like eating and breathing. It’s just as essential as anything else.”
Audio / Caylee Hammack says her father is a good man.
Caylee Hammack (Dad) OC: …forget that. 1:19 “My dad has this really unnerving ability to be able to build anything at all just by thinking of it. He can look at something and build it in his mind and build it by hand, and it always works. I’ve always respected him for that. He’s a very hard worker. He’s worked every day of his life. He’s also kind, even when he doesn’t have to be. He’s the type of guy who always gives money at the light to whoever it is on the street. One of my favorite moments with my dad was when we were driving to Macon, Georgia. I was playing a show that night, and we were driving up and we saw this dog and I could tell she was a mama dog. I could tell she had babies somewhere that she was trying to nurse, and she was so skinny. And I’m a bleeding heart. I get it from my Mama, and I just start crying, and I’m like, ‘That poor dog. She’s starving trying to feed her babies.’ I thought, ‘Poor dog.” And my dad doesn’t say anything, goes up two more blocks and pulls into the McDonalds. And he goes through and he asks me if I wanted anything, and I say no. I just think he’s hungry. He goes and he buys three or four burgers, and then he goes back to that block and he drives around until we find that dog to feed it to ‘em. I just remember looking at him, being like this is what a man is; this is what a good man does, and I’ll never forget that.”
Audio / DARIUS RUCKER SAYS HIS KIDS WOULD SAY HE WAS A FUN DAD, UNLESS THEY DID SOMETHING WRONG.
Darius Rucker (Father’s Day) OC: …loving dad. :41 “I think if you asked my kids what kind of Dad I was they would probably say…Dani would say that I was a fun Dad. My little daughter would say that I was a fun dad; she thinks I’m a lot of fun. I think if you caught them at the right moment they would say I was mean [laughs] because when I’m home I’m not afraid to discipline them. I’m all fun until it’s not fun anymore and then daddy’s not the fun guy. I think that they’d say that I was a fun Dad, I’m a loving Dad and I think they would say that. I’m gone so much that when I’m home, I just shower love upon my kids. I say ‘I love you’ probably fifty times a day. We hug, we kiss all the time. I’m always wanting them to know how much I love them. So I’d hope they’d say that I was a loving dad.”
Audio / DARIUS RUCKER SAYS HIS MOTHER MADE HIM A GOOD FATHER TO HIS THREE CHILDREN.
Darius Rucker (mother’s qualities makes him a great father) OC: …my mom. :45 “She had a lot great qualities, but she was always, family was first for her. She was always a rock and making sure she took care of us and making sure we had things we needed to have to survive – food and clothes and a home – and seeing that and seeing how hard she worked and all the things she did just really made me the father that I am today. I mean, I’m so crazy and hands-on with my kids. I think it all comes from watching my mom have to struggle so much to support us. And so now, I don’t want me or my wife to ever have to struggle, and I don’t want my kids to ever want or wonder where I am or where there mom is. I want them to always know where we are and always be taken care of, and that all comes from my mom.”
Audio / Dierks Bentley, a father of three, is very grateful to his own dad for turning him on to country music as a kid.
Dierks (Father’s Day) OC: …that’s for sure. :10 “My dad was my biggest influence in country music because my dad loved country radio. So, we always drove around listening to country radio and George Strait, Hank Williams and Randy Travis and all these guys, so. Without him, I wouldn’t be doing this, that’s for sure.”
Audio / Dierks Bentley explains how being a father (to three children) has changed him.
Dierks Bentley (how fatherhood has changed him) OC: …different. :07 “There’s a whole kind of different universe that has opened up that I never knew existed, and I’m not the center of it, which is really cool. It just makes you look at things totally different.”
Audio / Eric Church describes his father and the qualities he admires in him.
Eric Church (Father’s Day) OC: …always admired. :29 “My dad is a, I’m trying to find the right words to describe him. My dad is a great guy, honest guy, very call it like he sees it, which is where I get a lot of that. No BS. I’m gonna tell you how I feel whether you like it or not. I’m that guy, I’m me…My dad’s that way, so I get a lot of that from him. There’s also an honesty and an integrity that my dad carries himself with that I’ve always admired. I think the both of them combined, and they’ve been married for I think 40 years, to be together that long in this day and time is a feat in itself.”
Audio / Jon Langston looks up to his father and hopes to become just like him.
Jon Langston (Father’s Day) OC: …just fine. :16 “My Dad has been my hero all my life. He’s the man I want to be one day when I grow up. I’m thankful for all he’s done for me and the sacrifices he’s made for our family. If I’m half the man he is one day, I’ll be just fine.”
Jon Langston (Father’s Day) 2 OC: …a great guy. :46 “My dad’s always been my biggest mentor and hero. He’s just been everything to me since I was a little kid. From taking me to every single football practice to being a coach in baseball and stuff to even when I couldn’t play sports anymore and I started doing music and traveling the country and he helped me by renting this family RV. Me and the boys would hop in. He drove us everywhere. He would like take us all over the country. He was taking off work every single week just so I could have a chance, a shot at tis dream. He’s the most selfless, humble human being ever, and if I’m half the man he is one day, then that’d be fine with me. He’s a great guy.”
Audio / Jordan Davis says he loves getting his daughter up in the mornings.
Jordan Davis (fatherhood 2020) OC: …here myself. :46 “Fatherhood is something, it really is tough to put into words, but one of my favorite things to do is to go in and get Eloise up in the mornings, and I just see this little bundle of joy. She is just so happy. She’s got a smile just like Kristen, and so it really is just crazy to go in in the morning. She could be crying, screaming and then you walk in, and the second she sees you, it’s all smiles and laughs. I don’t know. I think the coolest thing with a kid like her age is just the innocence. You see just how happy she is to be here, and I’m very happy she’s here myself.”
Audio / JORDAN DAVIS TALKS ABOUT HIS FAVORITE QUALITIES OF HIS DAD.
Jordan Davis (Father’s Day) OC: …my music. :45 “The thing I love most about my Dad is just his overall love of life. He’s a guy that’s worked hard and is now at a point where he can enjoy it, and he’s living every day to the fullest. That’s something that I’m very thankful that I’ve seen my Dad do and something to learn from. So, that’s probably my favorite quality about the old man, and just the hard work too. My dad ran a furniture business in Shreveport for a long time with his Dad. It was great to grow up and see a guy work hard and helped his Dad build a business from the ground up to a very successful business, and that’s something that I even try to carry over into my music.”
Audio / Jordan Davis talks about how life has changed for him since becoming a father to his daughter Eloise.
Jordan Davis (how life changed when he became a dad) OC: …my daughter. :43 “I asked so many questions to Dads about what to expect and how my life was gonna change. I never really got a straight answer. It was just kinda like, ‘Dude, just do it and it’s gonna change for the better.’ It really is the most unbelievable, just the amount of love you have for this thing that just got into the world, it is indescribable. I can’t put that into words the first time you get a chance to hold your kid. And man, I’m very, very grateful for the blessing that is my daughter.”
Audio / PROUD DAD OF FOUR (HAMPTON, COLBY, MARION, HAWKE), JOSH TURNER TALKS ABOUT HOW HIS THREE OLDEST SONS ARE LEARNING THE FAMILY TRADE.
Josh Turner (Father’s Day) OC: …one of ‘em. 1:05 “As far as talent and potential, my oldest three, especially, they could do anything they wanted to do if they put their mind to it and their heart was there. My oldest [Hampton] is incredible at playing mandolin. Colby, we kind of noticed him turn the corner lately with the fiddle, and Marion is actually playing a ukulele that’s tuned like the top four strings on a guitar, so in essence, he’s learning how to play guitar. They’ve just kind of started incorporating some singing into some playing, so they’re starting the whole singing and playing at the same time kind of thing, and not only that, they’re even learning to play songs together on their individual instruments. So, it’s amazing to see how much they can learn in such a short amount of time. It makes me realize how much I missed out on when I was that age, ‘cause I did take some music lessons growing up and everything, but I think they feed off of each other honestly. I think that’s why they’re getting so good is because they’re all doing it, not just one of ‘em.”
Audio / Keith Urban – father to daughters Sunday and Faith -- says there are a number of things that are at the top of the list of being a dad.
Keith Urban (Father’s Day) OC: …experience that. :36 “The first thing is probably just having someone call you dad. I’m like, ‘Omigosh! I’m her dad! That’s amazing.’ That’s probably the first thing to me. I don’t know, I mean, the different personalities that our two daughters have, that’s amazing. It’s such a long list I think. I always say…I think for the people that haven’t had kids – which I hadn’t for a long, long time. I didn’t have kids ‘til later on, and being around it is not the same as having them, you know? I realize that it’s not something that can be explained until you actually sort of have it, so I’m glad I got to experience that.”
Audio / Kip Moore talks about his late father’s influence on his music career, and how he’d play classics on their fishing trips.
Kip Moore (Father’s Day-dad’s influence) OC: …of us singin’ ‘em. :29 “He would just play all those classic records – Little River Band, Jackson Brown, Springsteen, Seeger, Willie Nelson, the Red-Headed Stranger, Kristofferson, Sam Cook – like classic music. He’d be singing the songs and telling us why it was such good music. And I looked up to him so much, that’s the music I gravitated towards and that’s what I continue to listen to. Whenever I think about those old fishing trips, that’s what I think about is on the way down there, him singing those songs and all of us singin’ ‘em.”
Audio / Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook says fatherhood is absolutely beautiful. He and wife Karen Fairchild became parents to Elijah Dylan on March 5, 2010.
Little Big Town (Jimi-Father’s Day) OC: …beautiful. :32 “It’s still such a new experience for us, and man, I’m telling you, people can tell you all day long how great it’s going to be, but it still never touches it. That little man looking back at me, it’s the most unbelievable feeling. And every day, for me who hates mornings [laughs], waking up to a slap in the face; he’s like pounding on me, then he’s like kissing on me and stuff. It’s unbelievable. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
Audio / Luke Bryan talks about the life lessons he learned from his father.
Luke Bryan (Father’s Day-life lessons) OC: …live by that. :46 “Well, my dad was, I always just go back to the life lessons that always started either in a fishing boat or hunting somewhere, and that’s why I’ve always kind of been a champion of those types of behaviors certainly with your boys and your children because you get to spend time and hand down values. My dad was always big on just hard work and being good to people and a handshake is the contract. A handshake is your bond, your word. His famous saying always was, ‘Do something right the first time and you won’t have to go back and do it over again.’ I won’t say I batted a thousand perfectly on that, but I’ve kind of tried to live by that.”
Audio / MADDIE MARLOW TALKS ABOUT HER FATHER’S FAVORITE GIFT SHE’S EVER GIVEN HIM FOR FATHER’S DAY.
Maddie & Tae (Father’s Day) OC: …for Father’s Day. :26 “So, for Father’s Day, I made my Dad – I think it was right before I moved to Nashville – I made my Dad this little photo book where it had like his quotes that have stuck with me my whole life and then some pictures, and it was really funky. It looks horrible. It’s not put together, but that’s one of his favorite gifts that he’s ever gotten, and I cherish that ugly photo book thing that I made for him for Father’s Day.”
Audio / Travis Denning says his father is his best friend.
Travis Denning (Father’s Day) OC: …for sure. :43 “My dad – I call him ‘Diamond Dave’ and a lot of other people do too. Honestly, I don’t know if I drink more with anybody else more than my Dad. I think a super cool thing now is getting older and knowing that I’m starting to get more and more sustained as a human that it’s like my parents get to be friends now with me and my sister, which is such a cool thing. And so, yeah, me and my Dad – we love music and we love heavy metal and we love all that. We get to go to concerts and football games and drink beer and just enjoy that cool part of a father and a son and a mother and a son where now we get to be friends and it’s really cool. My Dad is my best friend, for sure.”
Audio / Vince Gill talks about what he hopes he passes to his kids and his grandkids.
Vince Gill (Father’s Day) OC: …feels like. :40 “Kind, hopefully make them kind. It’s all we got. We’ve got five kids, a couple of grandkids. These grandkids are the complete light of my life. They show up and the rest of the world can kiss my youknowwhat (laughs). I say we’re just gonna go swing in the backyard, we’re gonna wrestle on the bed, we’re gonna eat those Goldfish, you know? And nothing else kinda seems to matter. And then I think what I love seeing more than anything is for my kid to finally understand what it means to love. Man, it’s awesome to see my kid finally get it what that unconditional love really looks like and feels like.”
