Kelsey Rae Copeland possesses the perfect voice for classic-sounding country. Her tone, pitch and range are excellent as she weaves her way through a compelling vocal melody on her latest single, the timeless ‘Tennessee Weeper’. The sweeping pedal steel notes from Andy Gibson are equally striking, floating away above the deep and warmly resonant upright bass from Chris Scruggs. ‘Tennessee Weeper’ is a finely-written song, inspired by Appalachian traditions, with a beautifully-delivered, memorable tune.
Copeland is a fan of classic horror movies, which influences how her songs play out and inspires her creativity in the accompanying video put together by Nashville film-maker Jesse Weeden. It captures the mood of the song, with Copeland performing in a churchyard while wearing a funeral veil. The atmospheric sense of darkness and loss mirrors the the lyrics and narrative of ‘Tennessee Weeper’. Copeland says of the song and video: “The ‘Tennessee Weeper’ video is dedicated to embracing my darkness. Shining a light on my shadow self in such a dim area of my life has taken me on a spiritual journey in lifting the veil of consciousness and in doing so I have gained the strength to make the conscious decision of resilience despite the atrocities grief leaves you with.”
After winning the Richard Leigh Songwriters Festival song contest, Copeland headed to Nashville, where she released her first album, 2016’s ‘Fortune Teller’ featuring Amythyst Kiah on banjo, and became a regular on the live scene, including playing at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion seven times over the years. Now, she’s in the process of writing and recording a new album, due for release in autumn 2023. The album promises more haunting melodies and dark tales of love and loss – something to look forward to. Enjoy.
