Emily West - Dear Diary (2022) Hi-Res

For the uninitiated, Emily West is the high priestess of musical magic in Nashville's never ending rainbow of talent. Millions know her from duets with Keith Urban, Cyndi Lauper and heart stopping performances on America's Got Talent, but locally she is the songwriter's favorite singer, the singer's favorite writer, and everyone's favorite friend. While she has sung on most stages and tv's in the world, she hasn't made a record in the last 5 years and never one this personal. She opened up her journals to Leroy Powell & Tim Jones (collectively known as Whiskey Wolves of the West), and constructed mini-broadway musicals. Most of the songs were recorded by Grammy award winning engineer Bill Reynolds(Band of Horses, The Avett Brothers, Lissie) at his studio the Fleetwood Shack.

Leroy Powell assembled the greatest band including AmericanaFest Musician of the Year nominee and multi-grammy winner, Chris Powell(Jamey Johnson, Brandi Carlile), who also happens to be his little brother, on drums. Renaissance man and Texas Gentleman Chase McGillis(Nikki Lane, Nicole Atkins) on bass. Tyler Summers(My Morning Jackets, Martina McBride) plays flute, bass clarinet, the saxophones and fellow wolf Tim Jones strums the acoustic guitar and lends his distinct voice to 5 of the 12 songs.

While most of the songs were co -written by Emily, Leroy, and Tim, "Why Don't You Call Me Baby" an Instant Grand Ole Opry classic, was penned with the inimitable Mindy Smith. Rounding out the album are cuts by the Canadian wonder man, Ron Sexsmith, Laura Nyro's "Wedding Bell Blues", and the Great American Songbook standard, "Unforgettable."

This is an important record. A new sound from old souls. Country, Jazz, Broadway Show tunes. Familiar tales told by one of the most powerful voices on the planet. Thank you for being a part of this journey and helping it come to life!