When Chevel Shepherd left The Voice stage after being crowned winner of season 15, she was determined to make music that reflects who she is as a country artist. Chevel walked away from the recording contract that comes with winning and began paving a path of her own.
Aided by her coach-turned-mentor Kelly Clarkson, the 18-year-old vocal dynamo carefully selected songs that reflect a more traditional country sound, steeped in storytelling. Recorded in Nashville with cuts written by acclaimed songwriters, Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark and more, the country singer’s debut EP, Everybody’s Got A Story, is available now.
“I was singing almost before I could walk, surrounded by the music that my parents listened to – country music and classic rock,” shares the New Mexico native. “Loretta Lynn, Reba, Tanya Tucker and The Chicks are some of my musical heroes. What they have accomplished in their careers inspires me to stay true to who I am – embrace my traditional sound, style and love for storytelling.”
Chevel released her first new music following The Voice” with title-track “Everybody’s Got A Story,” penned by Musgraves, McAnally and Clark, and “Mama Got the Chair,” the clever call-and-response to George Strait’s 1985 hit “The Chair.” Those tracks join previously released “Just Like the Circus,” “Southern Boy” and “The Letter” as well as never-before-heard songs, the tender “Good Boy” and snarling “Snakes” on the EP produced by Todd Tidwell (Reba, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift).
Good Boy Music Video Set for Release on Monday March 29
For the upcoming “Good Boy” music video, set for release on Monday, March 29, with People.com, Chevel called on close friend and actor Charlie Gillespie of Netflix’s “Julie and The Phantoms” to co-star alongside her. Chevel and Gillespie met on the set of a Kenny Ortega-directed live production of the rock musical Hair in which they were cast opposite one another in the lead roles. Conceptualized by Chevel, she tapped frequent collaborator, director David Dibble (“Just Like the Circus” and “The Letter”), to help bring her vision to life. Filmed in The Four Corners area where Chevel grew up, the video depicts dating the classic “good boy” through the decades.
As Shepherd reintroduces her voice with this debut EP, she recognizes just how important her journey on “The Voice” was and how thankful she is for Clarkson’s continued mentorship and support while creating Everybody’s Got A Story, sharing with The Washington Post, “Kelly just being a part of it, it’s been a blessing.”
Everybody’s Got A Story EP track listing
1. Everybody’s Got A Story – Written by Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark
2. Southern Boy – Written by Cassidy Lynn Alexander and Kellys Collins
3. Mama Got the Chair – Written by Nora Collins, Nick Donley and Dave Fenley
4. Good Boy – Written by Kellys Collins and Bill Luther
5. Just Like the Circus – Written by Kacey Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Ashley Arrison
6. The Letter – Written by Julie Wood and Kellys Collins
7. Snakes – Written by Kellys Collins, Simon Reid and Baylor Wilson
