New York, NY (Top40 Charts) He has 25 No. 1 hits, and his songs have been performed in arenas and stadiums for years. Now, it's
Brett James' turn. The GRAMMY and ASCAP Award-winning songwriter's first solo project in more than two decades, the 'I Am Now' EP, will be released Friday, March 27 via Songs of Brett/Label Logic/Ingrooves.
'I Am Now' was recorded at Nashville's SmoakStack Studios, and
James produced the record himself. He may have written for some of the biggest stars and the best voices in popular music, but these songs needed to come from
James himself: the confessional burst of pent-up emotion in "I Am Now;" the mid-tempo retro-soul of "Still on My Mind;" the patient passion of the Latin-infused "Wait;" the shared solace in "Lonely Ain't So Lonely," a different kind of country drinking song.
And at the emotional center of this new song cycle, "
True Believer" stands distinct from the horn-fueled arrangements prominent elsewhere, a sworn declaration of shelter and encouragement written for James' daughter. Listen here: youtu.be/Ntw6_pYYUeg
Brett James' songwriting career launched over 20 years ago, when he dropped out of medical school, and moved to Nashville to pursue his dream. He initially struggled to make that dream a reality -- waiting tables, signing with -- and then being dropped by -- a record label and publisher. But he eventually found his musical footing, writing hits for Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride,
Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean, and garnering producer credits for Taylor Swift,
Jessica Simpson and Kip Moore, among others. Outside of Nashville, his songs were recorded by Nick Jonas, Backstreet Boys, will.i.am and many more. In all, over 500 of his songs have been recorded for albums with combined sales of more than 110 million copies. He co-wrote the opening theme for the television broadcast of Super Bowl LII, and he's been named the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year twice.
After years of listening to James' songs, it's finally time to hear his voice. The journey begins with the release of 'I Am Now' on March 27.
'I Am Now' Tracklist:
1. I Am Now
2. Wait
3. Still On My Mind
4. Lonely Ain't So Lonely
5. True Believer
