Brian Kelley Unveils Solo-Penned Sophomore Album

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Photo: Courtesy of the Kelley Family. Album Cover Art: Jake Witsken

Brian Kelley has unveiled his sophomore album, Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son, via Big Machine Records.

Featuring 12 tracks written solely by Kelley, Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son takes a deep dive into the songsmith’s identity, exploring family ties, rural values and more. Shaking up his usual collaborative style, he decided to look within for inspiration and took away a new appreciation for his craft as a result.

“I’m probably more excited than ever to be making music and writing songs. I’m in a place in my life where I’m going to record and write whatever I want and put it out whenever I want, and that excites me. I just have so much freedom to go wherever my creativity and my authenticity takes me. So that just fires me up,” shares Kelley. “To be honest with you, this record caught me off guard. But once I had an inkling of what it could be, and what was happening, it was a moment I didn’t want to pass up.”

The tunes were penned over the last few months, then recorded and produced with Executive Producer Katlin Owen and Co-Producer Caleb Gilbreath. Featuring much of Kelley’s touring band, they aim to cover personal themes with a unique clarity of voice. The album also seeks to all filters between the artist and his fans with song like “If I Go First,” a ballad dedicated to his wife of over 10 years, Brittney, promising eternal love even after their earthly vows are complete.

Early releases include “Put Myself On,” which was written as an unapologetic message of self-sufficiency, and the compassionate “Hold On, Cowboy.” Elsewhere, tunes like “Shit Kickers” help celebrate those who wear their work boots like a badge of honor and “Heaven In A Holler” seek describes the simple perfection of a country life, grounded in family and faith. The title track serves as a tribute to Kelley’s parents, who just celebrated their 51st anniversary and remain his inspiration.

“What I want fans to know and feel is that these are all brand-new songs,” he says. “These aren’t songs that were written two or three years ago, this is a chapter in time. It’s a season, and the way this record sounds, it’s the soundtrack to my life these past couple months. So, I just went for it.”

Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son Track Listing:
1. “Rockin’ Randall”
2. “Shit Kickers”
3. “Cowboy Gold”
4. “Hit A Lick”
5. “Heaven In A Holler”
6. “Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son”
7. “The Board”
8. “Hold On, Cowboy”
9. “Put Myself On”
10. “Too Pretty A Place To Fight”
11. “If I Go First”
12. “Back Pocket Blues”

Liza Anderson
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