Travis Linville is set to release his new album, I’m Still Here, due out May 21 via Black Mesa Records and available for purchase/pre-save now HERE. Produced by fellow Oklahoman JD McPherson, I’m Still Here is full of, in McPherson’s words, the “fantastic songs and consummate musicianship” Linville is known for, but the contributions from his collaborators shine throughout. One such collaboration sees Linville joined by Hayes Carll, with whom he has shared the stage for over 15 years, for a cover of Willie Nelson's "Yesterday's Wine" with guest vocals from friends and fellow Tulsans, John Fullbright and Jacob Tovar. More information about their take on the bottle-clanking country waltz can be found exclusively at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Additionally, album standout "I Saw You" is currently featured as the Song of the Day by NPR-affiliate KUTX, who praise, "Travis Linville imprints his masterful presence once again with the LP I'm Still Here, cooked up with a dream team of contributors and produced by fellow Broken Arrow artist and longtime fan JD McPherson for nine intoxicating originals (and a Willie Nelson cover featuring Hayes Carll) that toe the line between indie, country, rock, and beyond, including the piano-driven Tulsa-sound-evoking 'I Saw You!'"
Linville initially announced I'm Still Here with the title track, a lament on the chasm between perception and reality that was penned in a single writing session with power songwriter, and one-fourth of acclaimed supergroup The Highwomen, Natalie Hemby (Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Lady Gaga). Her talent as a writer pulled Linville’s song idea in a decidedly more pop-inflected direction, touching on Hemby’s gift for writing exactly what someone else means to say. Upon release, the song gained Best Of The Week accolades from Billboard Magazine and Rolling Stone Country.
Earlier this month, Linville shared a 360 video for single, “Blue Sky Bound,” which premiered at Holler. with high praise: "If 'Blue Sky Bound' is anything to go by, then it's safe to say we can expect I'm Still Here to be the perfect soundtrack to the world opening back up again." Linville previously shared "Feeling We Used To Know," originally written 20 years ago by former bandmate Jamie Kelley, which was featured on an episode of Apple Music's Record Bin Radio and has become a WMOT favorite.
Hailed as “one of the most sought-after songwriters and collaborators in the Sooner State and beyond” (Wide Open Country), Linville’s session and touring work include credits with artists ranging from fellow Oklahomans Samantha Crain and John Moreland to longtime collaborator Hayes Carll and indie rock stalwart Berwanger (feat. members of the Anniversary). In recent years, he’s performed his own music as hand-selected support for Carll and Moreland, as well as Parker Millsap, Todd Snider’s Hard Working Americans, and even country legend Marty Stuart. These collaborations and his recorded catalog, including 2017’s Up Ahead LP, have built for Linville a dedicated group of fans in the music world who’ve spent decades enamored of his nonchalant technical skill, artistry, and taste.
Among those fans is Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native JD McPherson, who recollects, “Growing up in Oklahoma, Travis was known everywhere as one of the most respected musicians and performers from a very large pool of talent.”
On I’m Still Here, McPherson’s assembled studio band is led by Linville with Jason Smay on drums, Dominic Davis on bass, and Raynier Jacildo on keys. It’s a collective whose combined resume includes work with Jack White, The Black Keys, CeeLo Green, and Dwight Yoakam. A match made in Oklahoma, but brought to life in Tennessee, Linville and McPherson present a collection of contributions woven together with endearingly visible seams: a Travis Linville album where Linville gets by with a little help from his friends, instead of vice versa.
“I’ve never worked with someone so open to new ideas yet knows fundamentally who they are as an artist,” McPherson explains. “Everyone had such a great time working with Travis and his fantastic songs. Let me drive that final point home: Travis is a really, really great songwriter. That makes work a pleasure.”
Linville will release 'I’m Still Here' on May 21, 2021 via Black Mesa Records. It can be purchased now HERE.
