By Judy Shields
Hollywood, California (The Hollywood Times) 05/29/2026 – “My new record, That’s Real, is the first full-length project I’ve ever put out, and I could not be more excited about it. It has a wonderful mix of my yacht rock and country roots and I can’t wait for the world to hear it. Throughout the process of writing this record, I feel like I have grown so much as a writer and as a person, and I think that shines through in the music.” Carrie Brockwell
Rising country artist Carrie Brockwell is set to release her debut full-length album, That’s Real, today, Friday, May 29, 2026. Following the success of the album’s title track released earlier this month, Brockwell’s highly anticipated record showcases a deeply personal collection of songs rooted in young adult authenticity, vulnerability, and the shared human experience.
Blending the smooth nostalgia of yacht rock with heartfelt country storytelling, That’s Real marks a defining artistic statement from Brockwell as both a songwriter and performer.
The inspiration for the album’s title track came during a conversation between Brockwell and longtime collaborator, co-writer, and producer Brian Fechino. During the writing process, Fechino pointed out that Brockwell frequently used the phrase “that’s real” in everyday conversation and suggested they turn it into a song. Brockwell immediately connected with the idea, realizing how naturally the phrase reflected her personality, perspective, and the overall spirit of the project. What began as a simple observation ultimately evolved into the emotional and thematic centerpiece of the album.
Across the album’s eight tracks, Brockwell explores themes of growth, heartbreak, healing, self-acceptance, and emotional honesty. Each song is rooted in her own personal experiences, inviting listeners into moments that feel deeply intimate while remaining universally relatable. The record focuses on the raw and genuine aspects of the human experience, emphasizing the everyday emotions and situations that connect people regardless of where they are in life.
That’s Real features eight tracks that showcase Carrie Brockwell’s signature blend of heartfelt country storytelling and smooth yacht rock-inspired melodies, including “Here I Go Again,” “Back Home,” “Why’d I Stay,” “I’d Love Not To,” “That’s Real,” “Faster Than I Thought,” “Find A Way,” and “Nobody is Perfect.” The album was produced and mixed by Brian Fechino, recorded at The Holler in Nashville, Tennessee, and mastered by Cass Anawaty at Sonoran Mastering. Featured musicians on the project include Carrie Brockwell on vocals; Brian Fechino on guitar, production, and instrumentation; Ben Jackson on drums and percussion; Patrick “Hammer” Thornton on bass; Daniel Clarke on keys; Lena Doyle on fiddle; Megan Slankard on background vocals; and Bri Bryant and Jon Bryant on background vocals for the title track.
Carrie Brockwell joined Judy Shields for an interview on the Hollywood Times to discuss her upcoming debut full-length album “That’s Real,” which will be released on May 29th. The album features eight tracks, with “Here I Go Again” serving as the first single, showcasing Carrie’s 70s-inspired sound with modern country elements. During the interview, Carrie detailed the personal stories behind each song, including “Back Home,” “Wide Eye Stay,” “I Love Not To,” “That’s Real” (the title track), “Faster Than I Thought,” “Find A Way,” and “Nobody Is Perfect.” She shared her musical journey from winning a golden ticket on American Idol at age 15 to performing at the Bluebird Cafe and standing in the circle at the Grand Ole Opry. Carrie discussed her upcoming nationwide summer tour and expressed her dream of playing at the Troubadour, following in the footsteps of her 70s musical inspirations like Carole King and James Taylor.
Carrie’s Debut Album Release
Carrie discussed her debut full-length album “That’s Real” scheduled for release on May 29th, which will contain 8 tracks. She explained that “Here I Go Again” was chosen as the first single because it represented a fresh new sound with 70s roots influenced by Yacht Rock artists like Carole King and Jackson Browne, while also incorporating modern country and pop elements.
Upcoming Record Song Discussion
Carrie discussed three songs from her upcoming record, explaining that all her songs are based on personal experiences. She described the second track “Back Home” as about wanting to return to a familiar place where people know you, and the third track “Wide Eye Stay” as a modern country song about staying in an unhealthy relationship too long due to comfort and fear of change. Judy provided supportive feedback and suggested creating a video for the third song.
Song Writing and Inspiration Discussion
Carrie discussed the story behind her song “I Love Not To,” explaining how it was co-written with Brian Ficino using a Merlin instrument and was inspired by the idea of wanting to relax and “just be.” She shared that the song resonated with listeners who called it their “anthem” and expressed her goal of helping people feel seen through her music. The conversation ended with Carrie mentioning that the next song would be “That’s Real,” which is the title track of the album.
Songwriting Process Discussion
Carrie discussed her songwriting process with Judy, explaining how she and a collaborator spent a year creating a record that started with pre-production in Nashville. She described how they wrote lyrics during 4-mile walks in her neighborhood in Chesterfield, Virginia, after the music was already composed. The song they were discussing had a sassy yacht rock feel and was about letting go of pretenses to live authentically.
Song Writing Journey Discussion
Carrie shared the story behind writing her song “Find A Way,” explaining how she wrote it during her first night in college dormitory and how it reflects her journey choosing a non-traditional path in music after discovering American Idol. She discussed how the song captures the experience of feeling lonely while pursuing one’s passion, despite having support from others. Judy commented on the depth of the song’s story and suggested that Carrie might need to write detailed pamphlets for each song to accompany future CD releases.
Carrie’s Final Album Discussion
Carrie discussed her eighth and final song “Nobody is Perfect,” which she described as special because it reflects her personal struggles with overthinking and over-apologizing. When asked about the album creation process, Carrie explained that it took about a year from pre-production to release, with herself and Brian collaborating on the songs, bringing each other ideas and working to perfect the lyrics and music.
Carrie’s Musical Journey
Carrie shared her musical journey, beginning with childhood singing experiences inspired by her father’s cover band and their female lead vocalist Nicole Andrews. She described her American Idol audition at age 15 and the validating experience of advancing to Austin, Texas. Carrie also discussed her performance at the Bluebird Cafe with her mentor Victoria Shaw, describing it as a special experience in a historic listening room where many notable country artists have performed.
Carrie’s Music Career Updates
Carrie shared her experience standing in the circle at the Grand Ole Opry after winning EP of the Year at the Josie Music Awards, describing it as one of her biggest dreams come true. She discussed her upcoming nationwide summer tour, including festivals in Florida, Wisconsin, and Colorado, along with an album release party in Richmond in June.
Enjoy the full interview here:
Brockwell’s momentum continues to build following a breakout year in 2025. The Virginia native and American Idol alum was named 2025 Josie Awards Country Vocalist of the Year and has garnered recognition from outlets including MusicRow, Cowgirl Magazine,Country Swag, Holler Country, Whiskey Riff, AllCountryNews.com, and The Grand Ole Opry’s WSM Opry Radio. Her single “Here I Go Again” earned the #1 song on the aBreak Music Independent Artist Playlist.
Her live performances have also solidified her as one of country music’s most compelling emerging voices. Brockwell headlined the Nashville Walk to End Alzheimer’s, performed at the iconic Bluebird Café, appeared at Song Suffragettes, and has performed at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House. Fellow country star Ashley McBryde also gave Brockwell a notable social media shoutout praising her artistry.
Looking ahead, Brockwell recently joined SongHouse as an official artist alongside talents such as Emmy Russell and Tyler Ward. She is also currently collaborating with the Richmond Symphony, further expanding her creative reach beyond traditional country spaces.
With That’s Real, Brockwell delivers a record designed to meet listeners wherever they are in life — encouraging them to embrace authenticity, let go of expectations, and simply groove.
“I am honored and so very excited to share these songs with my audience and hopefully gain some new listeners through this new step of my music journey,” Brockwell says. “My hope is that this record meets listeners wherever they’re at in their lives and gives them the permission they need to let go and groove.”
