Voices. Players. Analog tape. Maverick vocalist Raul Malo and Kelley Mickwee bring the romance just in time for Cupid with the new video for ‘Tennessee Valentine’. Recorded at The Bunker recording studio just outside of Austin Texas. The duo worked with The Next Waltz label owner and producer Bruce Robison to deliver a heartfelt, old school tune written by Rachel Ann Dennison and David Schnaufer. The aching vocal performance is supported by pedal steel, Hammond organ and fiddle all being performed at once in the studio’s main room. The video captures this performance showing the intimate setting of the band and singers in the round.
Mickwee reflects on the genesis of the session, “I heard this song on an Amy Lavere and Will Sexton record years ago and fell right in love with it. It was written by a neighbor/friend of hers, David Schnaufer. When I played it for Bruce (Robison), he loved it too and suggested we make it a duet. Raul (Malo) was my first call. He has one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard and I am so lucky he said yes.”
Malo continues, “I’ve loved Kelley’s voice since I first heard her sing with her group, The Trishas. Bruce is a highly respected artist, songwriter and producer. To get to work with the both of them on this beautiful song has been both a blessing and an honor.”
In an era of songs on hard drives and beats from Belmont grads, Malo and Mickwee have delivered a timeless classic.
