Second generation of Bellamy Brothers
By Preshias Harris
The Sunshine Shop, at 1912 Church Street in Nashville, seemed like it had been there forever; something of a landmark for Nashvillians. It had been in that location since 1962, close to what is now Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital. Friends and family would stop there for “get well” flowers and “cheer up” gifts for patients they were on their way to visit.
Now, the iconic location has become the inspiration for brothers Jesse and Noah for their current album, The Sunshine Shop, as well as the title track and even the album’s cover photo. Listen/play via all music services here. The sixth album from the duo, The Sunshine Shop is released via Usonia Records and distributed by Select-O-Hits, along with the project’s focus track, “Lina Rose,” and that track’s accompanying music video (watch here). The Sunshine Shop was recorded by Platinum-selling producer/engineer Zach Kasik at Wild Feather Recording in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Singles from the album
“Lina Rose” follows four previously-released singles from the project, along with videos: “I Told A Lie,” “Loving This Night,” “Old Cowboys” and “On Again, Off Again”. The Sunshine Shop marks the duo’s first collaborations with outside artists. Riders in the Sky brought the western harmony needed for “Old Cowboys,” while Tess Frizzell joined the pair on “On Again, Off Again.”
“It was just a natural with ‘Old Cowboys’ and ‘On Again, Off Again’,” Noah shared in a statement at the brothers’ website. “We knew we needed the western harmony to get the traditional sound with ‘Old Cowboys,’ and it was a natural to invite Tess to sing with us for “On Again, Off Again,” because her mother (Shelly West) and grandmother (Dottie West) were known for the duets they did throughout their careers.”
“There’s a long thread of American music running through this album from country, folk, western, pop, rock, soul and harmony singing,” added Jesse. “We aren’t trying to recreate the past, but we always try to honor the kind of music that raised us. Really the heart of the whole thing is that we’re still figuring it out as it’s going down, and finding and shaping our own voice inside that tradition.”
Jess and Noah Bellamy share a name with another pair of famous musical brothers: their father David Bellamy and uncle Howard Bellamy who, as The Bellamy Brothers, still perform and tour internationally.
The Sunshine Shop track listing:
- I Told A Lie
- Sunshine Shop
- On Again, Off Again
- Lina Rose
- Too Much
- Me And Magdalena
- Spin Like A Rose
- Loving This Night
- Diamonds Or Dust
- Shame On The Moon
- Old Cowboys
Of his and Jesse’s music, Noah says, “The country influence is always there, but we’re not always aiming at that. We look at our music as more about letting the influences come out when we are recording. The song kind of takes us where it wants to go.”
The real Sunshine Shop in Nashville may be closed (at least for now) but it lives on in the words and music of this album from Jesse and Noah.
More at JesseandNoah.com, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris