NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As Independence Day approaches and people get in the “American” themed spirit, the all-vocal group Home Free, will be releasing a special salute to the red, white, and blue and unfurl their patriotic new album, LAND OF THE FREE, which will include their duet version of American Pie with Songwriter Hall of Fame member Don McLean. The album will be available on all streaming services today via Home Free Records.
“I am really excited about this version of American Pie,” says Don McLean. “You know, everyone that has heard it just loves it. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do it because I have always performed with a guitar. I felt I was going to lose my security blanket when I didn’t play guitar on this version. Then, all of a sudden, I started to hear it and it just blew me away. The harmonies that Home Free produce with their vocals reminds me so much of the Jordanaires.”
The Home Free + Don McLean version of the song was recorded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nashville, Tennessee, with a video being produced remotely.
Sure to stir up American pride, LAND OF THE FREE features all-new versions of tunes that underscore the spirit of the nation – fan favorites steeped in liberty and possibility. Highlights include harmonious renditions of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” Tim McGraw + Tyler Hubbard’s (of Florida Georgia Line) “Undivided” and Brooks & Dunn’s anthemic smash, “Only in America.”
Likewise, the flag-waving set is full of critically acclaimed collaborations – each one delivered with hand firmly over heart. Unexpected features include a “stirring” (American Songwriter) rendition of “God Bless The U.S.A.” featuring Lee Greenwood and The United States Air Force Band.
About Don McLean:
Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and his smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) a top 5 song of the 20th Century. A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His catalog of songs has been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, one of McLean’s four handwritten manuscripts of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million. 2019 honored Don with a star on the Las Vegas Walkway of Stars and his song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding. 2020 brought Don a new recording contract with Time Life which he released a catalog of recordings as well as a new album Still Playin’ Favorites. Now, in 2021 “American Pie” will be featured in the Avengers Black Widow and the Tom Hanks movie BIOS, Don will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a children’s book will be released, and much more! And when you think things are slowing down, not so for Don McLean!
About Home Free:
All-vocal Country entertainers Home Free have made their mark on the music scene, racking up nearly 600,000 album equivalents globally; embarking on major international tours; amassing 460+ MILLION views and over 1.2 MILLION subscribers on YouTube; and being declared “Country music fans’ favorite a cappella group” (Taste of Country). Just in time for the Fourth of July, the acclaimed group is serving up a special salute to the red, white, and blue with their brand-new album, LAND OF THE FREE. Chock full of star-spangled covers, all-star collaborations, and one standout original, the 10-track project is set to drop on June 25 and aims to bring a sense of unity to all those who hear it. Speaking of festivities, Home Free is set to light up this holiday season with their headlining WARMEST WINTER HOLIDAY TOUR – showcasing songs off their festive album, WARMEST WINTER (2020, Home Free Records), which features 12 seasonal staples, memorable collaborations, and Home Free originals – all guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. This project follows the acclaimed group’s DIVE BAR SAINTS album, which arrived at #2 on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart. Home Free’s extensive catalog spotlights six Top 10 albums, including TIMELESS, FULL OF (EVEN MORE) CHEER, FULL OF CHEER, COUNTRY EVOLUTION, and their breakout debut, CRAZY LIFE (2014). With praise rolling in from the likes of Billboard, Rolling Stone, FOX & Friends, and American Songwriter, the extraordinary showmen have continued to build a loyal fanbase with their harmony-laden versions of hits by John Mayer, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Maren Morris, the Oak Ridge Boys, and more
