Hunter Flynn Turns The People, Places And Stories That Shaped Him Into Appalachian Soul On Debut Album Roots

After surviving a near-death car wreck where he flipped his vehicle three times while traveling 70 mph on the highway, Hunter Flynn knew he couldn't waste his second chance at life. Armed with a guitar from his father's pawn shop, he set out to bring the people, places and stories of his Pulaski County, KY, upbringing to life through song, making ends meet as a commission-based charcoal artist and playing dive-bar gigs until landing a record deal earlier this year.

That story comes full circle with the release of his debut album, ROOTS, out today (10.30) via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment.

Listen here:

hunterflynn.ffm.to/roots

Featuring 16 tracks, all penned or co-penned by Flynn, ROOTS is a sprawling, experimental sonic exploration of his signature "Appalachian soul," weaving together cosmic country, bluegrass, folk, blues and roots-rock grit into a sound that feels both timeless and distinctly his own. Tackling everything from love and loss to depression, burnout and the crushing weight of expectation, Flynn's songs tactfully balance his deeply personal introspection with universal truths about the complexities of the human experience.

With production from M. Allen Parker, who has worked alongside The Black Keys, and David Ferguson, who has produced music for John Prine, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers, the album features instrumentals from standout musicians including 6x GRAMMY-nominee Sierra Hull, 4x GRAMMY-winning fiddle player Stuart Duncan, multi-ACM Award-winning guitarist Tom Bukovac and others.

Throughout the album rollout, Flynn has teased fans with Easter eggs hidden within the charcoal-sketched artwork accompanying each single. Each piece features his mysterious, recurring Appalachian astronaut motif, embodying a feet-on-the-ground, head-in-the-clouds mentality. The visual storytelling culminates in the album's hand-painted cover art, bringing the stories behind the music to life.

Currently on his headlining Back To My Roots Tour and fresh off a performance supporting Turnpike Troubadours, Flynn recently took the stage at NYC's Skinny Dennis and will bring his live show to the venue's Nashville location in December. Additional stops include Louisville, Indianapolis and more. For a full list of dates, visit hunterflynn.com/shows.

ROOTS Track List:

1. Bridge To Stop The Rain (Hunter Flynn)

2. Dreams Keep Dying (Flynn, Mary Kutter, Brad Wagner)

3. Ghost Of A Girl (Flynn)

4. Wasted Day (Flynn)

5. Robbing A Bank (Flynn)

6. Worst It's Ever Been (Flynn, Evan Wayne Ison, Chancellor Lawson)

7. Blue Blooded Long-Haired Hippie (Flynn)

8. Feelings And Fantasies (Flynn, Nicholas Jamerson)

9. Expiration Dates And The Will To Live (Flynn, Ison)

10. Big Chief (Flynn, Jamerson)

11. Desperate Man's Tune (Flynn, Andrew Petroff)

12. You, Not Me (Flynn, Ison, Zach Adkins)

13. Green Light (Flynn, Cody Lee Meece, Ison)

14. Great White Lion (Flynn)

15. Second Guessing (Flynn, Ison)

16. Roots (Flynn)

Produced by M. Allen Parker

Tracks 4-7, 12, 13, 16 produced by David Ferguson