AVAILABLE NOW TO STREAM AND PURCHASE HERE
Straight From The Heart Features Covers of Mega Country Ballads Alongside Iconic Artists Including Michael McDonald, Vince Gill, Keb’ Mo’, and Shawn Colvin
In Support of the Release, Medley to Make His Grand Ole Opry Debut on February 22nd `
Today, legendary artist Bill Medley, best known as one-half of GRAMMY-winning duo The Righteous Brothers, released his first new album in over a decade titled Straight From The Heart (Curb Records). Produced by Fred Mollin (Kris Kristofferson, Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mathis), the 12-track collection features the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s unmistakable baritone voice in a new light as he reimagines mega Country Music ballads alongside some of the industry’s biggest stars including Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Keb’ Mo’, and Shawn Colvin. Straight From The Heart is now available to stream and purchase HERE.
A self-described Pop/Blues artist, Medley shares, “I’ve always had a deep love and appreciation for Country Music and at its core, a pure Country ballad is the blues. 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.”
Mollin added, “In the heart of Music Row in Nashville, where so many of these songs were originally recorded, the truly iconic voice of Bill Medley sat around with the current class of legendary studio musicians and one song rolled into the next. Live on the floor. The way it was meant to be.”
Following a 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 after nearly 25 years in the music business. 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.
Thoughtfully curated, each song on Straight From The Heart represents a meaningful memory or connection to Medley’s life. A collaboration with Michael McDonald, “Cryin Time” opens the album with a powerful blend of soul and harmony as Medley expresses the ups and downs of marriage. Listeners are then swept into a bittersweet world of love and loss with the sentimental ballad, “The Dance,” and then are treated to a soulful twist on a Country classic with the next track, “Please Help I’m Falling.”
Building to a tender melody, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” explores feelings of emptiness and isolation, while “(Since You’ve) Gone)” ft. Keb’ Mo’ delivers a doleful version of the 1950’s hit full of remorse and regret. Opening with light and romantic instrumentals, “Lay Down Beside Me” expresses longing for a sense of physical and emotional closeness.
Toward the middle of the album, in a passionate and tender ballad, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (ft. Shawn Colvin)” showcases a magical harmony of voices that Medley says, “Was a Beauty and the Beast moment.” One of two Vince Gill songs on the album, “Whenever You Come Around” is a sweet and romantic anthem layered with Medley’s baritone vocals. The most recent release, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” is a heartbreaking song of love, devotion and unending loyalty.
Paying tribute to Kenny Rogers, Medley’s cover of “Sweet Music Man” gives a glimpse into the vulnerability behind being an artist. Sticking true to his Blues roots, “These Days (ft. Vince Gill)” embodies the singer-songwriter’s pride over his career and reminder to bask in the idea to “take these days over any days I’ve ever known.” A lover of The Everly Brothers, Medley concludes the album with “Let It Be Me,” a gentle expression of timeless romance and powerful bonds.
Straight From The Heart track listing:
- Crying Time (ft. Michael McDonald)
- The Dance
- Please Help I’m Falling
- Sunday Morning Coming Down
- (Since You’ve) Gone [ft. Keb’ Mo’]
- Lay Down Beside Me
- I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (ft. Shawn Colvin)
- Whenever You Come Around
- He Stopped Loving Her Today
- Sweet Music Man
- These Days (ft. Vince Gill)
- Let It Be Me
In celebration of the album release, Medley will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, February 22nd. Additionally, earlier this month, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveiled the reinstallation of his iconic suit from 1974 album, Give It to The People, as a part of the museum’s “Legends” exhibition. This legendary outfit represents a pivotal moment in Medley’s career, while celebrating the enduring legacy of The Righteous Brothers and their contributions to Rock and Soul music. In a recent interview with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Medley reflected on his storied career and what Straight From The Heart represents, giving fans a glimpse into his continued musical legacy. Click HERE to watch.
For more information about Bill Medley, please visit https://righteousbrothers.com/
ABOUT BILL MEDLEY:
Bill Medley has one of the most iconic voices this world will ever know. As one-half of GRAMMY® Award-winning, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Righteous Brothers – a beloved and legendary duo who released songs that are part of the fabric of worldwide pop culture – Medley influenced generation upon generation of vocalists through songs such as: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “Unchained Melody,” and “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.”
As a lover of Country music, and with a forthcoming album – Straight From The Heart – of his versions of Country mega-hits, Bill recently told his grandson, “This is who your grandpa really is.” Kenny Rogers called Bill in 1978 and invited him to Nashville, beginning 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, after 25 years in the music business. Bill went on to open for Loretta Lynn for two months, toured with Alabama, and spent time with Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Kris Kristofferson, among many others. Songs on Bill Medley’s historic album with a historic voice include: “The Dance,” originally recorded by Garth Brooks; “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” originally recorded by George Jones; and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (feat. Shawn Colvin),” originally recorded by Hank Williams.
