Not too long ago, Jett Holden had all but given up on his musical aspirations, and in particular, country music. Meanwhile, Holly G, the visionary behind Black Opry - a multifaceted platform uplifting Black artists in roots and country - happened across his music online. "I stumbled upon the first verse and chorus of 'Taxidermy' and immediately knew there was something special there," Holly recalls. "I asked him if he planned to finish the song, and when he expressed uncertainty, I made sure he got the support he needed to bring it to life."

Thankfully, G didn't stop there. She reached out to Rissi Palmer, founder of the Color Me Country Artist Fund, sharing Holden's heartfelt verses. Palmer, moved by his raw songwriting, swiftly provided the funds necessary to complete "Taxidermy," propelling him onto the path he treads today.

"That song," Holden reflects on "Taxidermy," "it's a critique of performative activism that resonated deeply with listeners. It made me realize the power of honesty and the opportunity to voice what others might not." Thanks to performances with Black Opry Revue, Holden found safe spaces to share his truths, marking the beginning of his musical journey.

While recording "Taxidermy," Holden recalled, "Holly was flying, and I was grinding at a stay-at-home job with AT&T." Fast forward to the present, where perseverance, sweat, and no shortage of tears have culminated in his debut album, The Phoenix, released under Holly G's new label, Black Opry Records. Produced by Will Hoge and recorded at Cartoon Moon Recording Studio in East Nashville, The Phoenix showcases Holden's candid songwriting and his gritty yet melodic vocals, backed by a talented ensemble of Nashville musicians handpicked by Hoge.

Opening with "Taxidermy," the track that sparked it all, The Phoenix unfolds as a poignant collection of ten tracks that explore Holden's experiences as a Black, queer man raised in the rural South. Guesting on the album are acclaimed pop and country singer Cassandra Pope, Charlie Worsham of Old Crow Medicine Show fame, and Osbourne Brothers' John Osbourne.

Now poised to share his artistry with the world - a rarity in a genre that often overlooks Black talent - Holden embraces his role as a beacon of possibility. "When Holly asked me why I write music, I told her, 'I create the music I needed to hear growing up.' If my songs can offer solace and connection, then I've fulfilled my purpose," he shares. Through his music, Holden hopes to remind listeners of their worth and the universality of their emotions.

For Holden, The Phoenix symbolizes a rebirth. "When Holly and Black Opry found me, I had walked away from music entirely. This journey has reignited my passion - it's made everything feel achievable again."