Oklahoma troubadour Travis Linville teamed with Nashville mainstay and The Highwomen member Natalie Hemby to write the stalwart and hopeful "I'm Still Here," the debut single from Linville's forthcoming JD McPherson-produced album of the same name (out May 21 via Black Mesa Records).
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"I had the great pleasure of writing this song with Natalie Hemby who is easily one of the best," Linville tells Wide Open Country. "I had been kicking this idea around for a while and came to the session with some version of a chorus. Natalie immediately started playing and singing what became the first verse of the song that didn't exist ten seconds ago! Like she already knew it or something. So cool to see her do that. We whittled at it for the next couple of hours and I left feeling elated. My original idea was an abstract thought about reflecting on years gone by and being thankful to still be here, or anywhere. After we finished the song it had a lot more flesh, blood, and heart. Now after 2020, and being locked down for so long, it has fully come to life in another way I never could have imagined before."
Watch the video for "I'm Still Here" below.
I'm Still Here was initially tracked live to tape in early 2019 at Memphis Magnetic Studio and completed almost a year later at Linville's home studio and 3 Sirens in Nashville. The album also features a cover of Willie Nelson's "Yesterday's Wine," featuring Hayes Carll, John Fullbright and Jacob Tovar.
Linville, who's been called the "godfather of modern Oklahoma folk," is one of the most sough-after songwriters and collaborators in the Sooner State and beyond.
"Growing up in Oklahoma, Travis was known everywhere as one of the most respected musicians and performers from a very large pool of talent...I've never worked with someone so open to new ideas yet knows fundamentally who they are as an artist," JD McPherson says in a press release. "Everyone had such a great time working with Travis and his fantastic songs. Let me drive that final point home: Travis is a really, really great songwriter. That makes work a pleasure."
For more information on Travis Linville, visit his official website.
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