New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Robin Meade official website) Popular HLN anchor, New York Times Best Selling Author, and emerging country artist
Robin Meade brings energy to the news on HLN's "Morning Express with
Robin Meade"- and she carries that spark to Count on Me, her sophomore album available June 11, 2013 at Target stores and iTunes.
Following the success of her debut
Brand New Day (#24 Billboard's Heatseekers chart) Meade is
releasing Count On Me, a country album with rootsy undertones and a soul that's pure Americana.
"I want this to be the musical form of what I consider my most important role: the emotional guardian" says Meade, who penned 7 of the 12 songs. "I want you to feel, but not feel hopeless. I want to move you, but also motivate you."
Count On Me, produced by
Victoria Shaw (Lady Antebellum), showcases Meade's warm alto voice. Shaw expertly punctuates the album with guest appearances by radio star Lee Brice, the Blue Sky Riders (including 80's chart topper Kenny Loggins) & blues artist Keb' Mo'. "Robin has grown since her first album" says Shaw. "That allowed us to go to exciting new places. Robin's a true artist with a deep understanding of who she is as a writer and vocalist."
The collection begins with the anthemic "Here For You," the lead song that's instantly likable with its supportive message, gaelic-tinged rhythms, and stacked harmonies. A banjo-backed cover of Cyndi Lauper's "
True Colors" is a bluegrass standout fit for the Opry. The gospel overtones & funeral setting of "
Better Than Me" provide poignant focus for self-improvement.
Among the other tracks: the swampy "Slow It Up," the angst-ridden "Your Glory Days" (written by Meade & Sugarland's Kristian Bush), the crackling rocker "
Get Up" (written by Shaw, Meade & Lee Brice), a brave cover of Garth Brook's "The Dance", and the peppy "This Just In" (a title that's a nod to Meade's day job.)
The final song is a military drum-infused take on the
Pretenders "I'll Stand By You," and a musical allusion to Meade's "Salute To Troops" segments. It is perhaps the strongest evidence she intrinsically feels why people count on her, whether as newswoman or singer. "We all want to feel included, supported and accepted, bed-head and all. There's a need for a shared emotion, the feeling you're being talked with, not to, and that we're in this together. That's the vibe musically, too."
Count On Me hits iTunes & Target June 11, 2013.
