Rylie Bourne is a new young bluegrass artist with a most distinctive voice, as both a singer and a songwriter.
She grew up in central Illinois, trailing her guitar and mandolin playing dad at weekend bluegrass festivals, absorbing the music and the culture of midwestern America. With grandparents who also played, it seemed destined for her to be a performer, and by her late teens Rylie was taking guitar and piano lessons and starting to write her own songs.
A move to Nashville followed after a breakfast meeting with Vince Gill confirmed the need to be where the music was being made, and Bourne has been trying out her songs at the usual spots in town ever since.
A debut bluegrass single is available now, which shows a rhythmic and lyrical bent a bit outside the norm, but in a delightful and memorable manner that is sure to distinguish Rylie Bourne as a artist to watch.
Company I Keep is one she wrote with Collin Nash and Jon Decious, both experienced Nashville songsmiths. It reveals a ragtag bunch of lovable losers which Rylie commemorates in song. It carries a hint of Roger Miller in his prime, never a bad thing, with a promise of more good things to come.
Support on the track comes from Dustin Benson on guitar, Mary Meyer on mandolin and fiddle, and Andrew Brown on bass. Dustin and Mary also provide harmony vocals.
This one’s a keeper. Check it out.
Company I Keep is available now from popular download and streaming services online.
