Opry debut, hot EP… and a new baby!
By Preshias Harris
Elvie Shane continues his steady rise up the country charts with his debut single, “My Boy,” released on Wheelhouse Records, a BBR Music Group imprint. For the survey dated Aug 14, 2021, “My Boy” climbs 15 to 13 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in its forty-fourth consecutive week charting there.
For the same week, “My Boy” jumps 22 to 19 after sixteen weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart that combines sales, airplay and streaming data compiled by MRC Data.
Elvie’s success means a great deal to me personally. I first heard “My Boy” when he sang and played it to me in my office in Nashville, where he and I were working on developing his music career. His star quality and – equally important – his strength of character and vision were undeniable even in those early days.
One day, Elvie invited me to lunch. But when we were in the car, he had a surprise for me. “We’re not going to lunch,” he said. “I’m taking you with me when I sign my record deal at Broken Bow.”
I shed tears of joy that day, and the photo commemorating that special event takes pride of place in my office today. He is an inspiration to my current roster of emerging songwriters and artists who can see that a successful career in music is attainable despite the many challenges.
As most people now know, when Elvie met Mandi Payton, now his wife, she was already the mother of a five-year-old son. He has said that Mandi and his stepson gave him a new purpose in life.
During a writing session on the back porch in 2016, one of his co-writers asked Elvie about his stepson and his answer was, “Dude, he’s my boy.” He talked about a Facebook post that the mother of a friend of his had sent him that said, “I don’t have a stepson, I have a son that was born before I met him.” Elvie’s co-writers that day were Lee Starr, Nick Columbia and Russell Sutton. Together they crafted the song that would become “My Boy” and touch the hearts of millions of parents and children who are part of blended families.
Now “My Boy” has a baby sister
And now there’s an addition to the family: On July 20, Mandi gave birth to an 8 lb, 1 oz daughter in Somerset, KY. They have named their new family member Zaelyn Journey Payton. Elvie explained that the name Zaelyn means “Gift of God” and both he and Mandi feel how appropriate that name is to them.
On social media, Elvie and Mandi posted: “Our hearts are so full. Celebrating a Top 15 single about ‘our boy’ and the birth of a beautiful, healthy, baby girl all in the same week is more than we could have ever hoped for.”
New EP tears along Country Roads
Meanwhile, as “My Boy” continues its progress, BBR has released Country Roads, Elvie’s debut EP. Country Roads was released on April 23, the same day as his debut appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry where he performed both “My Boy” and “Keep on Strumming,” a track from the new EP.
Country Roads kicks off in high gear with the powerful title song, reflecting Elvie’s wide range of influences from Steve Earle to John Fogerty. All the songs on the EP, produced by Oscar Charles, reveal an insight into Elvie’s life, growing up in the south and his musical journey along those country roads.
Additionally, Elvie has released a series of related music videos, collectively known as “The Windshield Views,” for each of the tracks on Country Roads. Find them on YouTube here.
Elvie Shane is an artist on the rise who deserves every bit of his success. Join him on his country road. You’ll enjoy the ride! More about Elvie on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com