The delicious aroma of bar-b-que hits your nose as you walk into New York City’s Hill Country BBQ, immediately setting up ones’ craving for food. But on Wednesday night (11/29) that hunger would have to wait as it was fans’ musical appetites that were growling louder. Wearing their VIP lanyards received as part their I Don’t Believe We’ve Met pre-order bundles, they headed downstairs to find themselves in an intimate room with a small stage towards the back. Their four-year long hunger was about to be satisfied, for soon on that stage would be Danielle Bradbery, performing several deep and personal tracks from her sophomore album available Friday, December 1.
Unlike her debut self-titled album where the Texan songstress’ involvement was through a listening and picking process, Bradbery co-wrote seven of the ten tracks on I Don’t Believe We’ve Met, making this album a true reflection of herself as a person and an artist. In front of the sold-out crowd, Bradbery kicked off the night with two of those co-writes, “Can’t Stay Mad” and the beautiful “Laying Low“, both surprises for fans as neither song was offered as an instant pre-order grat track.
Bradbery began her current single “Sway” to a roar from the room with fans swaying and singing along. She told the backstory to “Hello Summer,” explaining that while it was written by four men (and some of the best in the business) – Rhett Akins, Julian Bunetta, Jaren Johnston, Thomas Rhett – it was Thomas Rhett who approached her and said that he thought a woman should sing it.
“Worth It”, Bradbery’s favorite song on the album is also perhaps is the most personal. Sung from the point of view of a shy person who is learning how to stand up for herself, its universal lyrics can connect with many who listen: I ain’t afraid to walk away / If you can’t see it / believe it / And give me the love I’m deserving / ‘Cause I know I’m worth it. Closing out the set was the heart wrenching “Human Diary.”
And while the songs performed that night came from a 21 year old with songwriting skills mature beyond her years, it was her voice that stole the show – powerful, clear, and smooth. Without a doubt, America got it right when they crowned Bradbery, then only 16, winner of The Voice in 2013.
The night was MC’ed by NASH FM 94.7’s Jesse Addy and Katie Neal, who also asked Bradbery several questions submitted by fans via Twitter.
For more information on Danielle Bradberry, visit her website: www.daniellebradbery.com.
I Don’t Believe We’ve Met Track Listing:
1. “Sway” (Danielle Bradbery, Johan Fansson, Emily Weisband)
2. “Potential” (Danielle Bradbery, Johan Lindbrandt, Emily Weisband)
3. “What Are We Doing” (Danielle Bradbery, Sam Ellis, Thomas Rhett, Emily Weisband)
4. “Worth It” (Danielle Bradbery, Jeff Pardo, Molly Reed)
5. “Can’t Stay Mad” (Danielle Bradbery, Ian Franzino, Andrew Haas, Steph Jones)
6. “Messy” (Danielle Bradbery, Hannah Ellis, Josh Kerr)
7. “Red Wine + White Couch” (Nicolle Galyon, Alysa Vanderheym, Emily Weisband)
8. “Hello Summer” (Rhett Akins, Julian Bunetta, Jaren Johnston, Thomas Rhett)
9. “Human Diary” (Josh Kerr, Emily Weisband)
10. “Laying Low” (Danielle Bradbery, Jason Gantt, Heather Morgan)