The Voice's Beverly McClellan will release her new album, Fear Nothing, on November 21st. The hit television show introduced her to the world as a singer of stunning power and range with the presence and ability to draw comparisons to Etta James, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge, to name just a few of the great torchbearers whose legacies she evokes.
McClellan recently shared, "I believe that I have a message. It's simple: be yourself, love yourself, always be honest, and let the rest come naturally. That's the way I live my life and make my music." And that's the easygoing Zen she applied to the recording of Fear Nothing at Los Angeles' House of Blues studios with producer David Z. (Prince, Fine Young Cannibals, Billy Idol, Buddy Guy) and the superb rock and roots session players he assembled: guitarist Josh Sklair, keyboardist Jimmy Pugh, bassist Hutch Hutchinson and drummer Tony Braunagel — all noted producers in their own right. McClellan also brought along her own longtime guitar foil Billy Vazquez, and a stack of mostly upbeat and entirely heartfelt new songs. She recalls, "Making Fear Nothing was as smooth as melting butter on a oven-hot slice of bread. I showed the songs to the guys and then we played them together in the studio and that was it. We played some of them two or three times, but a lot of performances on the album are first takes, so they have that edgy, live feeling just like on stage."
Fear Nothing is McClellan's fifth CD and the first she didn't have to make in fits and starts as she'd save enough money from performing five nights a week in clubs around her Fort Lauderdale base to pay for more studio time. The album also marks the first time McClellan has written songs with other artists. Most notably there's "Love Will Find A Way Out," co-written, produced by and recorded by Keb Mo, who also plays scalding blues guitar on the track, in his Nashville home studio. She shares, "He was the one person in the world I most wanted to write with, and as luck had it he's a friend of my manager. Keb made everything so easy because he is such a pro. Some people are just born with it and he definitely was. I am honored to have worked with him. Keb and his family are a sweet clan, and I felt warm to he welcomed into their home. I went in with no expectations and came out with a song that drives itself with just a little help from Keb and me...." Keb Mo echoes these feelings in sharing, "What a pleasant surprise. I had no idea I would have the opportunity to work with such a great artist. Thank you Beverly."
Now McClellan is ready to write a new chapter all on her own with Fear Nothing. She reveals, "I'm just flying by the seat of my soul like I always do. I'm so ready to go out on the road and bring these songs to the world in a way I've never been able to before. It's like the title says — I want the people who hear my music to fear nothing, and to feel the love, get inspired, and spread it around." McClellan is just beginning to lock dates that will keep her on the road for a significant portion of the next year. Confirmed appearances include:
11/23 Ft. Lauderdale, FL J's Bar
11/25 San Diego, CA Anthology
12/12 Washington DC 930 Club
1/01 Mpls, MN The Dakota Jazz Club
1/04 Davie, FL Flamingo Gardens
3/10 Ft. Lauderdale, FL South Florida Pride
