“I don’t think you can get this sound unless it’s borned in ya,” said bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley when asked about “old-time mountain music.” These words struck a chord with Melissa Carper. While staying in the country with a friend, she stumbled upon an old DVD of Down From The Mountain, the documentary and concert film of the O, Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack featuring Stanley’s interview. Carper jotted down “borned in ya” on a piece of paper, feeling an irresistible urge to write a song centered around that phrase. The result is “Borned In Ya,” the title track and album of the same name.

As we’ve come to expect from Carper, the album is a compelling collection of songs, including three co-writes with her friend and Wonder Women In Country bandmate Brennen Leigh. Carper returned to East Nashville’s Bomb Shelter in the spring of 2023 to play in her “analog wonderland,” where she also recorded Ramblin’ Soul and Daddy’s Country Gold. She enlisted her trusted co-producers, Andrija Tokic and Dennis Crouch, and called upon many of Nashville’s top-tier musicians, including Chris Scruggs (guitars and steel), Jeff Taylor (piano and organ), Billy Contreras (fiddle), Dennis Crouch on upright bass, and Kyshona Armstrong and crew on backup vocals. To showcase her vintage country jazz chops, Carper also brought in long-time musical partner Jenn Miori Hodges on harmonies and Doug Corcoran (JD McPherson) on horns. Together they brought Carper’s vision to life.

Borned In Ya highlights Carper’s long-standing musical influences while showcasing her growth and adventurous spirit. Beyond her familiar blend of country with jazz, blues, soul, and R&B, the new album finds Carper skillfully weaving these elements together, with songs that aren’t bound by genres and hearken back to the “popular” sounds of a bygone era. From gospel-style vocal choruses to funky grooves, classic R&B of the '50s and '60s, to hillbilly jazz, honky-tonk, and country soul, Carper has created another stunner for those daring enough to listen. Dubbed “Hillbillie Holiday” by her friend Chris Scruggs, Carper continues to embrace this comparison, using it to thrive. “I stand by that,” says Scruggs. “She can sing Hank Williams and then handle these old pop tunes. And the great thing is how natural she is - she doesn’t even really change her delivery.”

Melissa Carper’s ability to blend timeless influences with modern sensibilities makes Borned In Ya a special listen, a tribute to the musical traditions that have shaped her journey. As Carper continues to carve her unique path in Americana, we can enjoy a record that captures the essence of old-time music with a fresh twist while looking forward to what she comes up with next.