Rhett McLaughlin solo music project James and the Shame announces single "Believe Me" Dropping July 15th
July 5, 2022
This year is shaping out to be a pretty good one for Rhett James Mclaughlin, better known as Rhett, of Good Mythical Morning fame. McLaughlin, along with his childhood friend, Link Neal, made the jump to television earlier this year with their new show, Inside Eats with Rhett and Link, on the Food Network. Now McLaughlin is also making the jump into a solo music project called James and the Shame.
Rhett grew up in North Carolina listening to his fathers’ musical heroes growing up. Artists such as Merle Haggard, George Jones, Roy Orbison, and Elvis Presley. When Rhett was coming of age, he would find his own artists to inspire him. These artists would pour out of his car stereo and would include George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Randy Travis. Rhett would pick up a guitar and play along with these artists as he picked up on their nuances and soulful delivery.
James and the Shame is a divergence from the comedic and multi genre songs associated with Rhett and Link. Instead, this is a deeper personal project which takes an inside look at McLaughlin’s evolving world view. That view has changed as he has aged. Growing up in a devout Christian home and having his faith deepen then ultimately shatter into pieces Rhett began to embrace his uncertainty. This led to him being influenced by more artists such as Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers. Part of that inspiration is how they have all used conventional country music to challenge viewpoints traditionally associated with the genre.
Rhett’s upcoming single, "Believe Me", uses that same method to address assumptions that were made about him after he publicly shared his story of his spiritual deconstruction. Rhett’s full length debut album will be available in September but you can pre-save “Believe Me” now.