Country artist Caylee Hammack embraces her emotions and personal growth on her new album and accompanying novel, ‘Bed of Roses,’ which delves deeply into themes of heartbreak, healing, and the insights gained throughout her journey.
Caylee Hammack has always believed in taking her time, and her much-anticipated sophomore album exemplifies that quality. Set to release on March 7th through Capitol Records, Bed of Roses sees the Georgia-born country artist returning to the classic country sounds that initially influenced her, creating a record that feels both profoundly personal and timeless. This marks a significant departure from her flashy debut, which incorporated R&B and pop elements for a more contemporary country vibe. In contrast, Bed of Roses channels the musical essence of artists like Bobby Gentry, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. Hammack even offers her own take on The Highwaymen's iconic song, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” with her rendition titled “Mamas.” Her growth as a songwriter has been notable, a development she attributes to writing an accompanying book, where each chapter correlates to a song from the album.
Hammack’s debut album, If It Wasn’t For You, was released just as the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, leaving her feeling like the promise of her career had suddenly vanished. Hailing from the small town of Ellaville, Georgia, Hammack taught herself to sing and play guitar during her teenage years. At 18, she was awarded a scholarship to Nashville's Belmont University but declined it for a relationship, which inspired her song “Small Town Hypocrite.” That song poignantly captures the essence of youthful love and regret.
They say it takes a lifetime to create your first album and only a year for the second. However, Hammack took five years to produce her latest work, a choice she believes was wise. Co-produced by Hammack, Dann Huff, and John Osborne of The Brothers Osborne, Bed of Roses has long been awaited by her fans, but she assures that she has been continuously working on it. While her debut was marked by raw, passionate emotions, Bed of Roses embodies a more mature perspective: calm, accepting, and reflective, with a touch of sadness palpable in tracks like “No I Ain’t,” “Oh Kara,” and “Tumbleweed Men.”
Atwood Magazine met with Hammack one afternoon in New York, where she wore a beautifully knitted cardigan adorned with hand-stitched yellow roses, her vibrant red hair tucked behind her ears. With humor, she remarked, “I spent too much money on it to not wear it!” Our conversation centered around her second album, the book of the same name, and the significance of learning to love oneself before extending that love to others.
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:: stream/purchase Bed of Roses here ::
:: connect with Caylee Hammack here ::
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**A CONVERSATION WITH CAYLEE HAMMACK**
Atwood Magazine: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us! I've been eager to interview you for quite a while. I loved your debut album, If It Wasn’t for You. It was quite distinct compared to much of the country music being released during that period. Your new album showcases a very different direction. You've mentioned wanting to return to a more traditional country sound, feeling that the first record was perhaps a bit too polished and pop-oriented. Listening to both albums side by side, If It Wasn’t For You embodies a youthful sadness, while Bed of Roses reflects a more accepting approach to that sadness.
Caylee Hammack: I’m becoming better at recognizing the blessings that come from what I might initially see as heartbreak or loss – those challenging moments in life. It’s gratifying to be on the other side of that now. I've had five years to truly reflect on my heartbreaks and the lessons learned. Looking back, I can see silver linings, recognizing that some of the storms I endured were ultimately beneficial. I aimed to weave that perspective into the record because when I'm hurting, singing along to a poignant song that resonates with my situation helps me immensely. This album carries a blend of melancholy and optimism intertwined throughout its sadness, which has been therapeutic for me.
It’s hard to believe five years have passed since your last album!
Caylee Hammack: I experienced a Wile E. Coyote moment where everything was going perfectly—I was touring every weekend, engaging in radio, press, and media, and it felt like a thrilling ride until everything just derailed. During 2020, I isolated myself, whether it was by choice or circumstance, and I wrote a lot, discovering much about myself in the process. Gardening also played a crucial role; it may sound silly, but nurturing my garden and the birds in my yard provided me solace. At that time, it became a vital source of comfort. During the pandemic, I had the opportunity
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