ATS Records has released their latest single for Virginia songbird Olivia Jo, one she wrote with Barry Hutchens called Little Old House.
The song uses a visual we can all imagine, an abandoned home left to suffer from weather and decay, as a metaphor for people who withdraw into themselves and receive little care or upkeep from others.
“Little Old House has become one of my favorite songs that I have written to date. Barry is such a talented songwriter, and it was a pleasure getting to pen this one with him.
When we sat down together for our writing session, I was going through my notes and landed on some jotted-down lines describing an old house. I remembered making those notes as I was thinking about my own house. The house is 115 years old and has been in my family for five generations now. My family and I worked hard to restore it and now it’s the place I call home.
I shared what I had with Barry and we both tossed ideas back and forth for a few minutes. Then I asked, ‘What do you think about the idea of comparing an old house to a person?’ We both agreed that it could be a really cool storyline, so we started there and it all came together pretty easily after that.
I think this song is very relatable to what we experience as people. We all go through things in life that leave us scarred and wounded, but with a little TLC, we can overcome and build back stronger than before.”
Anyone who enjoys popular home restoration shows on TV can quickly appreciate this story of bringing something lost back to something of value, which Olivia Jo sings with skill and compassion.
Helping out in the studio were Cody Kilby on guitar, Scott Vestal on banjo, Jeff Partin on reso-guitar and bass, Andy Leftwich on fiddle and mandolin, and Josh Molen on bowed bass. Colton Baker and Barry Hutchens provided the vocal harmony.
Have a listen.
Little Old House is available now from download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers via Get It Played.
