Lori McKenna, Jelly Roll find lost Nashville songs in new Apple Music program
The explosion in music releases in the decade since streaming platforms grew in use and renown has finally met the nuanced, curated edge of Nashville's vaunted songwriting community.
That's the most significant takeaway from Apple Music's newly-launched "Lost & Found" program, aimed at spotlighting unreleased country tracks via a six-episode Apple Music Radio program hosted by multiple-time Grammy-winning songwriter Lori McKenna.
Recent data points to the idea that over 30 million songs are now uploaded to streaming DSPs yearly and that an estimated 200 million-plus credited and streamable songs exist worldwide.
To that impressive number will be included one new Apple Music-exclusive "Lost & Found" song, monthly.
The program's inaugural find is alternative, country and rock chart-topping artist Jelly Roll's Ben Hayslip, Josh Thompson, and Jesse Frasure-written rock track "Dragging These Roots."
A press release notes that the song written four years ago is one of "hundreds" shared by Music City's publishing community for Apple Music's Lost & Found program.
Similar to "Dragging These Roots," the genre's songwriting community is highlighted by Apple Music as notable tracks were paired with ideal artists for releases that benefitted by being recorded in immersive Spatial Audio.
"When Apple Music shared the concept with me, I immediately called Frasure on FaceTime from their listening room to let him know I was definitely cutting the song," Jelly Roll told Apple Music. "I'm so grateful to Apple Music for shining a light on all these creators and their great artistry."
"I was so excited to hear this lost song got found by Jelly Roll. It's one of my favorites that I've cowritten, and I was hoping it would eventually get to see the light of day," Jesse Frasure tells Apple Music. "Having one of my favorite artists and friends, Jelly Roll, be the one to cut it was icing on the cake. We had a great time going into the studio on this one, he's a truly soulful singer behind the scenes, and he put so much heart into it."
McKenna -- the veteran Nashville songwriter behind songs including Little Big Town's "Girl Crush" and Tim McGraw's "Humble and Kind" -- has just released "1988," her 12th studio album in a distinguished, quarter-century-long mainstream career.
Apple Music promises that McKenna's series offers "unprecedented" access into country's songwriting processes, as both demo tracks and the final releases of tracks will be heard. Moreover, Lost & Found Radio includes in-depth deep dives into the track's writing, involving "inspiring, behind-the-scenes perspectives" from artists, producers and studio musicians.
"I'm so thrilled to be a part of this initiative and host the companion radio show on Apple Music Country," said McKenna. "Every songwriter has a catalog full of lost songs. It's exciting that Apple is bringing these almost hits to life and giving some space to these writers, and the stories behind these songs."
Lost & Found's playlists for the lost demos, new singles, radio show episodes and more are available at https://music.apple.com/ca/multi-room/6451425807.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lori McKenna, Jelly Roll find lost Nashville songs on Apple Music program
