SINGER-SONGWRITERS DREW AND ELLIE HOLCOMB SHARE THE LOVE FOR TENNESSEE TOURISM WITH TWO NEW SONGS AVAILABLE TODAY

NASHVILLE – Feb. 12, 2021 - Tennessee natives and singer-songwriters Drew and Ellie Holcomb revealed two new songs “Feels Like Home” and “Hey Rivers” today as part of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s “For the Love of Tennessee, Travel Safe” campaign: available now to listen here. Written by the Holcombs and recorded in Sound Kitchen Studios in Franklin, Tennessee, the new tracks were inspired by an epic seven-day, 1600-mile R.V. trek the family took across the state as part of a video series to promote safe travel. The songwriting process was chronicled as the family of five explored Chattanooga, Kingsport, Lynchburg, Memphis, Nashville, Paris, the Smokies and more, capturing the picturesque sights, calming serenity and cherished memories that inspired new music along the way.

The couple revealed more about teaming up with TDTD and the creative process behind their newest songs in an exclusive interview with American Songwriter here.

Known for their rich voices and folk-based material, the Holcombs championed their Tennessee vacation and brought those memories to fruition in “Feels Like Home” as homage to their home state and its storied history. Furthermore, “Hey Rivers” draws inspiration from the namesake of the youngest Holcomb, their two-year-old son, who was named in honor of Tennessee’s most famous rivers.

“I grew up in Memphis, went away to school in Knoxville, and settled down in Nashville. Even though I have lived in every region of the state, I had no idea how much of the state of Tennessee I didn’t know. It was such a gift to our family to travel the state, write songs, and see so much of the outdoor beauty our home state has to offer,” said Drew Holcomb.

This release marks a longstanding relationship between the state and the Holcombs. Over the past decade, the state has utilized Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors’ 2010 single “Tennessee” in a number of promotional assets. Tennessee Tourism will continue investing in music made for Tennessee, by Tennesseans, by licensing “Hey Rivers” and “Feels Like Home” for multi-year use across digital and broadcast content.

The campaign, launched in Oct. 2020 in partnership with VMLY&R, was part of a statewide initiative to remind residents to play - but play it safe - by exploring the state’s beauty, outdoor activities, urban centers and charming small towns while  following key safety guidelines like mask-wearing, social distancing and sanitization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Holcomb’s adventures were featured in a six-part web series which showcased the family visiting hidden gems and natural wonders in communities across the state while writing songs along the way.

To date, the campaign has netted more than 75 million views and 200,000 hours of video watched, approximately 23 years’ worth of viewing time. To view the webisodes in full, including the Holcomb’s performance of “Hey Rivers” and “Feels Like Home” live on the historic Ryman stage, visit www.tnvacation.com.

Follow @TNvacation on social and share the journey using #madeinTN and #loveofTN or visit www.tnvacation.com for more details on how to travel safely in Tennessee.

About Drew Holcomb:

A Nashville-based singer/songwriter known for his rich voice and literate folk-based
material, Drew Holcomb jumped from promising solo act to successful bandleader when he
formed Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors in the late-2000s. Along with his wife, fellow singer/songwriter Ellie Holcomb, Drew and his group established themselves as a passionate and popular Americana act, finding chart success with albums like 2013’s Good Light, 2015’s Medicine and 2019's Dragons. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Holcomb grew up listening to his father’s collection of classic singer/songwriter albums of the 70s - including titles by Bob Dylan, Carole King and James Taylor - and he gravitated toward their musical influence. Holcomb’s interest in music grew as he attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. After marrying Ellie Holcomb, the couple settled in Nashville where they currently reside with their three children Emmylou (7), Huck (5) and Rivers (2). In addition to his successful recording and touring career, Holcomb is the founder of Chattanooga's Moon River Music Festival, held annually in Coolidge Park as well as Magnolia Record Club, A Vinyl Record Subscription Service. Most recently, Holcomb has partnered with others including Peyton Manning, Andy Roddick and Jim Nance for the release of a new top-shelf whiskey, Sweeten's Cove. Holcomb's music has been featured in over 75 TV shows and national ads, including Nashville, Pretty Little Liars, How I Met Your Mother, and Parenthood. The band's work has been featured by NPR, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, and more.

About the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll-delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” In 2019, Tennessee’s tourism industry generated $23.27 billion in economic impact, more than $1.92 billion in state and local tax revenue and 195,000 tourism-related jobs. Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following “tnvacation” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube or “Tennessee” on Snapchat