Michelle Lee On Air 
The Easter holiday falling on March 31st this year altered the traditional Easter in April feel for many, but it can also be viewed as a reason to celebrate April as the first full month of celebrating “He has Risen”. With that in mind, I can’t think of a more appropriate artist for my April Album Spotlight than Carley Arrowood, 2023 IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year. Carley’s new album Colors is totally described by the album cover, an empty canvas with many colors surrounding her. My interpretation of the paint is that it represents all the amazing people who surrounded her for this project, the variety of styles and stories told throughout the album.
Deeper In Love, is the perfect release to follow Carley Arrowood’s chart-topping song “Goin Home Coming On.” How she harmonizes with the smooth instrumental sounds truly showcases her beautiful voice in Deeper In Love. A Beautiful love story between two people is told.
Chains Indigo, challenges you to look outside of your routine, take advantage of the few calming moments we have today, and admire what God has done in the skies.
Colors, the title track, was written by Carley Arrowood Thrailkill and Daniel Thrailkill. It is a well-written and arranged gospel song that shows how all the colors of God come together and magnify God’s works through us. HIS works make us thankful for the outstanding painting that is created from our ups and downs through life.
Moondancer is a song that shares the sounds of Cherokee heritage and provides almost a magical feel while listening to it. The vision of the song came while Carley was out searching for arrowheads. As you listen to the sounds and lyrics, I could visualize chasing a beautiful horse and/or the beautiful light of the moon. Let your imagination run with Moondancer.
O the Blood was written by Mary Elizabeth Miller and Thomas Harrison Miller Jr. Having this album released a few days before Easter was perfect – this song was created for such holidays. The delivery of this gospel song by Carley and harmonizing by Daniel was spot on.
Silas & Cora was written by Carley Arrowood and Becky Buller, 10-time IBMA Award winner. This song truly tells a great story about Silas and Cora from the 1800s. You definitely want to stay with this fast-paced song to find out how it ends. Don’t let the quick tempo fool you because before you know it, it just may change.
This Mess We Made written by Autumn Watson (Arrowood), Carley’s sister, showcases her craft as a songwriter and singer. This picturesque song comes across as a true promise between two people. How two people become one can be messy but love makes it all worth it.
Always Back To You written by Tim Stafford, 2023 IBMA Songwriter of the Year, and Bobby Starnes rounds off this album with a lovely song about how one always runs back to the one the love for that secure feeling we all long for.
Tsali’s Run and Molasses Ridge are both instrumentals that will have you tapping your toes, grabbing your instrument and wanting to play along. These songs definitely showcase Carley’s fiddle playing talents.
As someone who knows Carley personally, I know that she is thankful to God for all he has given her and her music talents. She is also so thankful for the love and support of her husband, her bandmate, and the father of their beautiful child, Daniel Thrailkill. Although close relationships between sisters are common, Autumn and Carley share a special bond; their music is one of a kind. Through the years of her music career, Carley has found and created amazing friendships and partnerships. Having Nick Dumas, Becky Buller, Kristin Scott Benson, Jeff Partin, Tony Creasman and Tabitha Benedict made the project even more meaningful for her.
‘Colors’ is a superb blend of different tones, styles (gospel, contemporary and instrumentals) and inspiration for hope throughout the album. This album is a great follow-up to the 2022 ‘Goin Home Coming On’ album that features her hit songs like ‘Jesus Drive the Train’, ‘Dear Juliana’, and ‘Ducks on the Millpond’. This album is an album you must have in your collection!
You can stay up-to-date and purchase your albums at https://www.carleyarrowoodmusic.com/
