Huckleberry Records has released a new song from Shelton & Williams, the bluegrass trio that includes Johnny and Jeanette Williams, and Jay Shelton, that focuses on close harmony singing.
Shifting Sand is one written by Jay and his recently-departed sister, Linda Burton, about how a relationship can be doomed to fail if it isn’t based on something real. The passion of young love might get you through the early stages of a romantic partnership, but over time, issues will develop, especially if anything has been held back or hidden.
Shelton says the way it was written makes the song very special to him.
“The song Shifting Sand started as an idea of my sister, Linda Burton, as a country ballad about lost love and the mistakes that lead to it, and she and I co-wrote it as such. Sadly, we recently lost Linda to ongoing health issues. We did, however, finish the song in the studio before she passed.
Shifting Sand will always be very special to me, and I feel her presence in the song.”
The song is sung as a duet between Jay and Jeanette, with the expected key changes. Shelton plays guitar, with Nick Goad on mandolin, Billy Hawkes on fiddle, and Jeanette Williams on bass. Johnny Williams adds harmony on the choruses.
Give it a listen.
Shifting Sand is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via Get It Played.
