All-vocal Country entertainers Home Free have teamed up with the legendary Don McLean for a special rendition of his classic hit, “American Pie” – available across all streaming platforms and digital retailers today (1/29).

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic tune’s release, the collaboration brings together the world-renowned harmonies of Home Free with the timeless charm of McLean, as they sing the story of the rise and fall of Rock & Roll in the 1960s. This also marks the first time McLean has recorded “American Pie” since 1971.

“Being in the studio with Don McLean was a really special moment for us,” explains Home Free's tenor Austin Brown. “Just hearing him talk about what the song means to him and give details on the moment he wrote it – that’s a memory I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life. To team up with such a legend on one of the biggest songs of the century was such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Home Free's bass Tim Foust, continues, “‘American Pie’ is an absolute masterpiece, which has rightfully woven itself into the fabric of our culture. It’s a true honor to take part in its legacy.”

“Home Free are part of a new interest in a cappella singing,” says McLean. “They have found their audience, and it was fun singing with these guys because they really understand harmony. I did many a show with The Persuasions and The Jordanaires, and Home Free is right up there with them!”

Paying tribute to Rock & Roll legends Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper, the official music video for the new track will debut next Wednesday (2/3) on the 62nd anniversary of “The Day the Music Died,” affectionately coined after the lyric in McLean’s signature anthem.

ABOUT HOME FREE
All-vocal Country entertainers Home Free have made their mark on the music scene, racking up nearly 600,000 album equivalents globally; embarking on major international tours; amassing 427.7+ MILLION views and over 1 MILLION Subscribers on YouTube; and being declared “Country music fans’ favorite a cappella group” (Taste of Country). The acclaimed group recently lit up the holidays with their latest album, WARMEST WINTER (Home Free Records), the follow-up to their top-charting DIVE BAR SAINTS album that debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart. Home Free's extensive catalog spotlights six Top 10 albums, including TIMELESS, FULL OF (EVEN MORE) CHEER, FULL OF CHEER, COUNTRY EVOLUTION, and their breakout debut CRAZY LIFE (2014). With praise rolling in from the likes of Billboard, Rolling Stone, FOX & Friends and American Songwriter, the extraordinary showmen have continued to build a loyal fanbase with their harmony-laden versions of hits by John Mayer, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Maren Morris, the Oak Ridge Boys, and more.

 

ABOUT DON MCLEAN:
Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and his smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) a top 5 song of the 20th Century. A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His catalog of songs has been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, Weird “Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, one of McLean’s four handwritten manuscripts of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2019 honored Don with a star on the Las Vegas Walkway of Stars, and his song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding. In 2020, Don signed a recording contract with Time Life to release his catalog of recordings as well as the highly anticipated new album Still Playin’ Favorites, released October 23rd. “American Pie” will be featured in the Avengers Black Widow, the Tom Hanks movie BIOS and much more to be announced. And when you think things are slowing down, not so for Don McLean! 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of "American Pie," with a world tour to follow.