Three generations of Black country artists—Charley Pride, Darius Rucker and Jimmie Allen—have come together to record a new song, “Why Things Happen.”
Penned by Jimmie, Cary Barlowe, Brandon Day and Tate Howell, “Why Things Happen” is featured on Jimmie’s new collaborative EP, Bettie James, which dropped on July 10.
Jimmie revealed that he co-penned the new song two days after the death of Kobe Bryant and eight others in a helicopter crash on January 26.
“In the midst of losing my Dad, my grandmother and the tragedy Sunday with The Kobe Bryant, Gigi Bryant and Altobelli family I found myself with tons of questions,” said Jimmie via Twitter on January 28. “I wrote this song today with @tatehowell5, @carybarlowe, Brandon Day.”
In addition to Charley and Darius, the seven-song EP features a bevy of guest artists, including Brad Paisley, Mickey Guyton, Nelly, Noah Cyrus, The Oak Ridge Boys, Rita Wilson, Tauren Wells and Tim McGraw. The new EP takes its moniker from Jimmie’s late father (James Allen) and late grandmother (Bettie Snead).
“I am a fan of every artist on this project and humbled to have each one of them be a part of it,” says Jimmie. “Each artist has touched the life of my dad, my grandmother and me through their music. I’m proud of this body of music and thankful to every writer that helped me create Bettie James.”
Listen to “Why Things Happen” below.
