I Am the Rain explained

I Am The Rain
Type:Studio
Artist:Chely Wright
Cover:Chely IAR2016.jpg
Alt:An abstract black-lined caricature of a woman against a background. The background is mostly white with red spots, featuring various lines written in cursive.
Released:September 9, 2016
Recorded:Los Angeles, California, Culver City, California, Nashville, Tennessee
Genre:Country Folk, Americana
Length:56:49
Label:MRI/Sony/PaintedRed
Producer:Joe Henry
Prev Title:Lifted Off the Ground
Prev Year:2010
Next Title:Santa Will Find You!
Next Year:2018

I Am the Rain is the eighth studio album released by singer-songwriter Chely Wright. The album was released via MRI/Sony/Painted Red Records on September 9, 2016 after being funded by fans through a Kickstarter campaign which was launched in September 2014.

I Am the Rain is Wright's second highest debuting album of her career on the Billboard Country Chart at No. 13 and her highest charting album of her career on the Top Album Sales Chart at No. 54.

Background

After a highly successful Kickstarter campaign, funded by over 2,000 backers, Wright's album campaign became the most successful Kickstarter campaign of any country artist. The album's recording process began in September 2015. The album, unlike any previous of Wright's was recorded almost entirely in California and was her first new material since Lifted off the Ground in May 2010. Beginning on September 8, 2015 and concluding on September 12, 2015, the album was recorded mainly at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California with additional recording done in Culver City and Nashville, Tennessee.

In an update to Kickstarter supporters on April 19, 2016, Wright revealed that Grammy award-winning producer, Joe Henry was the producer for the record, a suggestion given to her by close friend Rodney Crowell.[1] She also confirmed the album's release and distribution through SonyRed.[2]

In addition to Henry at the helm of production, singer songwriters, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, and The Milk Carton Kids served as guest vocalists on the album. Crowell provided background vocals on "Holy War," while Harris appears on, "Pain." The Milk Carton Kids make two appearances on the album during, "You Are the River," and the Bob Dylan cover, "Tomorrow Is A Long Time."[3]

"What About Your Heart" was made available as an instant download track for all pre-orders while fans who pre-ordered the album through Wright's website received "Mexico" as an instant download track.[4]

Commercial reception

The album debuted at No. 13 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, selling 4,100 copies in the first week.[5] It also reached No. 181 on Billboard 200.[6] It also marks her first appearance on the Billboard Folk/Americana Chart debuting in the top 10 at No. 9.

Track listing

  1. "Inside" (Chely Wright) - 4:18
  2. "Where Will You Be" (Wright) - 4:14
  3. "At The Heart Of Me" (Rodney Crowell, Joe Henry, Wright) - 4:45
  4. "You Are The River" (Edie Carey, Wright) - 5:01
  5. "Holy War" (Henry, Wright) - 4:52
  6. "What About Your Heart" (Wright) - 3:59
  7. "Pain" (Wright) - 3:58
  8. "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" (Bob Dylan) - 3:35
  9. "Blood And Bones And Skin" (Wright) - 3:59
  10. "Mexico" (Wright) - 4:41
  11. "Next To Me" (Wright) - 3:52
  12. "Halona" (Wright) - 4:12
  13. "See Me Home" (Henry, Wright) - 5:18

Personnel

Per album liner notes:[7]

Charts

Chart (2016)Peak
position
US Americana/Folk Albums9
US Top Album Sales54

Release History

RegionDateLabelFormat
WorldwideSeptember 9, 2016MRI/Sony/Painted RedCD, Digital Download
WorldwideNovember 4, 2016MRI/Sony/Painted RedVinyl

Notes and References

  1. Chely Wright Reflects on Coming Out as a Country Singer & the Ups and Downs of 'Gang Mentality'. Billboard.
  2. Web site: Update 35: ALBUM RELEASE INFORMATION! · Chely Wright's New Studio Album!. Kickstarter. en-US. 2016-09-11.
  3. Web site: I AM THE RAIN – New Release 9/9/16 – Chely Wright. chely.com. 2016-09-11.
  4. Web site: I Am The Rain Chely Wright Online Store, Apparel, Merchandise & More. chely.merchtable.com. 2016-09-11.
  5. News: Country Album Sales Chart: September 19, 2016. Matt. Bjorke. September 19, 2016 . Roughstock.
  6. Web site: Billboard 200 . October 1, 2016 . Billboard .
  7. Web site: Chely Wright - I Am The Rain. Discogs. 8 December 2017. en.