Righteous Brother Bill Medley Takes Country Turn On New LP ‘Straight From The Heart’

/by

Bill Medley

Bill Medley of the Grammy-winning duo The Righteous Brothers will release his first new album in over a decade, Straight From The Heart, on Feb. 14.

Produced by Fred Mollin, the 12-track collection will shine a new light on Medley’s unmistakable baritone as he covers country ballads alongside some of the industry’s biggest stars including Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Keb’ Mo’ and Shawn Colvin. In celebration of the album announcement, Medley released a second single from the album, “(Since You’ve) Gone [ft. Keb’ Mo’],” a rendition of the 1950’s classic which was originally recorded by country singer Ferlin Husky, and went on to become a 10-week chart-topper and Husky’s second career No. 1. The single follows the previously released “These Days (ft. Vince Gill)” from the new project.

“I’ve always had a deep love and appreciation for country music and at its core, a pure country ballad is the blues,” says Medley. “Straight From The Heart allowed me to pay tribute to the incredible country singers and writers that I admire, and at the same time, honor who I am in my soul. Working alongside artists like Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’, Michael McDonald and Shawn Colvin on this album was truly magical.”

YouTube video

After his trip to Nashville with Kenny Rogers in 1978, Medley began a lifetime of relationships and experiences with the country music community, including earning an ACM nomination for Top New Male Vocalist of the Year in 1985. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer went on to open for Loretta Lynn, toured with Alabama and spent time with iconic artists like Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and Kris Kristofferson, among many others.

Straight From The Heart Track List:
1. “Crying Time” (ft. Michael McDonald)
2. “The Dance”
3. “Please Help I’m Falling”
4. “Sunday Morning Coming Down”
5. “(Since You’ve) Gone” [ft. Keb’ Mo’]
6. “Lay Down Beside Me”
7. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (ft. Shawn Colvin)
8. “Whenever You Come Around”
9. “He Stopped Loving Her Today”
10. “Sweet Music Man”
11. “These Days” (ft. Vince Gill)
12. “Let It Be Me”

Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)