A song honoring the men who shaped these women is a testament to the power of country music. Jenna Paulette is revisiting one of her most meaningful songs, “The Prophet (Grandaddy’s Song),” from her last record, Horseback, and this time she’s teaming up with fellow country artist Ashley McBryde for a reimagined version. This collaboration is a great example of how country music can bring people together and create something special.
Jenna Paulette’s original version of “The Prophet (Grandaddy’s Song)” was a standout track from her record, paying homage to the ranching way of life she grew up with. As she notes, “This song was sent to me by the A&R from my label, and was written by Ashley McBryde, Matraca Berg and Lori McKenna. When it was sent to me, I asked ‘do you think they would mind if I put my grandad into these lyrics?” She wanted to make the song personal by incorporating her own experiences and memories of her grandfather, and the songwriters agreed.
The song’s themes of family, tradition, and hard work are deeply rooted in country music, and Jenna Paulette’s connection to the song is evident. She’s a country star who still works on her ranch when she’s not touring, and her authenticity shines through in her music. As someone who was asked to make her Grand Ole Opry debut while working calves on her Texas ranch, Jenna Paulette is the real deal.
For this new version of “The Prophet (Grandaddy’s Song),” Jenna Paulette wanted to collaborate with someone who understands and appreciates the cowboy way of life. Ashley McBryde, with her own experiences and songs like “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs,” was the perfect choice. When Jenna Paulette reached out to Ashley about the collaboration, she sent a message saying, “Ashley! So excited for you this week and celebrating with you! Me and this sweet baby girl will be watching. I wanted to float an idea by you for next year…I’m going to be doing a collaboration project that will come out late summer, and was thinking about pulling ‘The Prophet’ over to it.” Ashley agreed, and the result is a beautiful blend of their voices and styles.
The lyrics of the song remain largely the same, with a few tweaks to reflect the characteristics of both Jenna Paulette’s and Ashley McBryde’s styles. The song’s message is one that will resonate with anyone who’s ever looked up to a parent or grandfather figure, with lines like “He said pray for rain ’cause the weather man lies / Old men will clear their throat before they cry / Love your horses, mend your fences / Keep your common sense and know the difference / Between your heart and your head / He hung the moon and I hung on every word he ever said…” The song is a heartfelt tribute to the men who shape our lives, and the vocals are stunning, with Jenna Paulette and Ashley McBryde’s voices pairing flawlessly together. This is a song that will leave you in awe, and it’s a must-listen for anyone who loves country music.
