Charles Kelley will release The Driver, his first-ever solo album, on Capitol Records Nashville on Feb. 5. A member of Lady Antebellum, Kelley received a Grammy nomination for the project’s title track in the category of Best Country Duo/Group Performance, an honor shared with collaborators Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay.
“At first, it was really weird to go in the booth and be like, ‘Where’s Hillary? Where’s Dave?’ But it was very exciting to be the leader in there and go, ‘This is it, I’m doing this,’” Kelley said. “It was the most fun I’ve had in the studio, because everything felt new again. It took me out of my comfort zone.”
Kelley recorded the project in producer Paul Worley’s studio. Guests include brother Josh Kelley on “Round in Circles,” Miranda Lambert on “I Wish You Were Here,” and Stevie Nicks on a cover of Tom Petty’s “Southern Accents.” With Nathan Chapman, Kelley also wrote “The Only One Who Gets Me” for and about his wife, Cassie.
“While so many of these songs are something I specifically can relate to, it really is all of our story,” added Kelley. “It is a pure musical left turn, to take myself out of my own head and bring in a fresh perspective when we go back in to make the next Lady Antebellum record.”
THE DRIVER TRACK LIST:
1. “Your Love” (written by Abe Stoklasa, Ashley Ray)
2. “The Driver feat. Dierks Bentley & Eric Paslay (Charles Kelley, Eric Paslay, Abe Stoklasa)
3. “Dancing Around It” (Charles Kelley, Abe Stoklasa, Daniel Tashian)
4. “Southern Accents feat. Stevie Nicks (Tom Petty)
5. “Lonely Girl” (Chris Stapleton, Jesse Frasure)
6. “The Only One Who Gets Me” (Charles Kelley, Nathan Chapman)
7. “Round In Circles” (Charles Kelley, Josh Kelley)
8. “I Wish You Were Here” feat. Miranda Lambert (Jedd Hughes)
9. “Leaving Nashville” (Abe Stoklasa, Donovan Woods)
