Less than six months after releasing his buzzed-about solo debut on Big Machine Records, DIAMOND-selling Country superstar Brian Kelley is back with the deeply personal album, Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son. Written solely by Kelley, the full-length project features 12 of the most authentic and diverse songs of the hitmaker’s already-groundbreaking career. Available across all streaming platforms and digital retailers today (10/25), listen here.
A deep dive into Kelley’s identity, as well as an exploration of family ties, rural values, and the legacy we leave behind, the set follows the May 2024 release of Tennessee Truth, as a creative trailblazer ignores conventional wisdom, feeling too inspired to hold back. Shaking up his usual collaborative style, a burst of creativity found Kelley deciding not to wait on his chart-topping stable of co-writers to finish off songs. Instead, he looked within for more inspiration, and came away with fresh appreciation for his craft.
“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.”
Covering vivid personal themes with a unique clarity of voice – from heart-on-his-sleeve pride to his keenness for a party anthem, a little waterfront wisdom, self-manifestation, and more – the new tracks were penned over the last few months, then recorded and produced with Katlin Owen at the helm as executive producer and co-produced by Caleb Gilbreath, and featuring much of Kelley’s touring band.
Shortening the distance between a song’s creation and release by years, Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son also removes all filters between Kelley and his fans – which is easy to hear in “If I Go First.” Filled with quiet passion and built on a tender mix of acoustic-Country sonics, the ballad is dedicated to Kelley’s wife of over 10 years, Brittney, promising eternal love even after their earthly vows are complete. Listen here and watch the Charlton Combs-directed music video.
Early releases include Kelley’s boldly unapologetic message of self-sufficiency with “Put Myself On,” plus the compassionate anthem “Hold On, Cowboy.” Elsewhere, up-tempo tunes like “Shit Kickers” celebrate those who wear their work boots like a badge of honor, and the heartfelt “Heaven In A Holler” describes the simple perfection of a country life, grounded in family and faith.
Meanwhile, the album’s revealing nature is best highlighted by the title track, “Ed & Mary Margaret’s Son.” A warmhearted tribute to the parents who just celebrated their 51st anniversary and remain Kelley’s inspiration, the star sees it as a tender declaration of “what I believe in, what I stand on, and what I’m proud of.”
“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.”
