Veteran singer-songwriter offers first collection of original material in five years
Listen to “My Baby & The Band”
If there is one piece of his life that Josh Kelley is more than comfortable displaying, it’s how he feels about his family. The central line running through My Baby & The Band, set for release on November 13, is the contentment he’s found in his life with his wife and three kids. He paints a picture of a man who has found his place nestled deep into the small mountain town they call home, along with everything that entails: the simple, extraordinary moments, the disagreements, the makeups, and a deep love for one another. It’s wrapped in sonic packaging that’s true to who Kelley is, clear in its reverence for a great voice and song but unafraid to experiment with new textures surrounding it. The title track is out now.
Growing up in Augusta, Georgia, Kelley absorbed R&B, soul, and vintage country while also developing an affinity for classic rock. His musical family would often sit around their piano creating songs. When his older brother accidentally left his guitar at home when he headed back to college, the rest was history. These varied influences sometimes sneak into Kelley’s music, in a phrase or a chord progression, but at other times they’re fully on display. “Hold Me My Lord” was a somewhat surprising addition to My Baby & The Band, a gospel-soaked tune complete with a 30-member choir, co-produced by Grammy, Emmy and Dove award-winning Shannon Sanders.
It’s just one song in the journey presented on My Baby & the Band, Kelley’s first album of original material in five years. The album traces his and his family’s story, a scenic walk through the evolution of a relationship, family, and growth. Kelley solidifies himself as a talented vocalist and lyricist while tapping into the details of watching his kids develop their own personalities and continuing to find new reasons to love his wife after 15 years together. He’s missing it all when he’s away from them.
“We Don’t Need The Money” offers a good bit of groove; “Back To You” begs for a sing-along, and “If That’s Alright” continues the theme. They were all written back in 2017 and recorded with Kelley’s band.
“You Can Count On Me,” with background vocals from Kelley’s kids, takes its sonic inspiration from Bill Withers and Shuggie Otis, written with Alen Chang. “I Want You Tonight” and “Loves You Like Me” are straight-up love songs.
“You & I,” written with Nashville songwriter Dustin Christensen, slows things down with an ode to an all-consuming kind of love. Kelley also wrote “My Baby & The Band” with Christensen, all about sitting back with the one you love and listening to timeless music, in this case, specifically The Band.
“My Baby & The Band” follows the release of “Love Her Boy,” a clever, smooth and soulful number employing wordplay, and “Busy Making Memories,” a deeply personal excerpt, written on New Year’s Day while watching his kids play. Kelley and his wife, Katherine Heigl, collaborated on the video, featuring treasured memories and adventures on their ranch. Kelley produced and engineered the single himself; and in fact, creates most of his music in a barn that he’s converted into a studio.
Kelley released his solo debut, Changing Faces, while attending the University of Mississippi, and subsequently signed a record deal with Hollywood Records. His mainstream debut, For the Ride Home, found a Top Five single with “Amazing,” and his second album Almost Honest, included the Top Ten single “Only You.” Kelley later released four independent albums, between 2006 and 2008; Georgia Clay was released in 2011 with MCA Nashville, and 2015’s New Lane Road with Sugar Hill Records. In 2017 he independently released an album of covers, titled Under the Covers, Vol. 1, and a holiday album, Christmas Traditions.
Kelley has appeared on “TODAY,” “Good Morning America,” “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Live with Regis & Kelly” and “Last Call with Carson Daly,” and his songs have been featured on such shows as “Smallville,” “Scrubs,” “Brothers and Sisters” and MTV’s “The Hills.” Kelley also wrote and performed the theme song for the TV sitcom “Mike and Molly,” scored the feature film Home Sweet Hell, and created the theme song for TV’s Golf Channel. |
My Baby & The Band Track Listing: 1. We Don’t Need The Money 2. If That’s Alright 3. My Baby & The Band 4. Love Her Boy 5. Hold Me My Lord (featuring All Voices) 6. Loves You Like Me 7. You Can Count on Me 8. I Want You Tonight 9. Back to You 10. You & I 11. Busy Making Memories |
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