NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When Wyoming native Ian Munsick performed his sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheatre debut last year, a surprise on-stage adoption by the Crow Tribe moved him to his core, setting him on a creative trajectory toward his third album. Inspired by the gifts his Native friends presented him that night, including an eagle feather he proudly wears in his hat, the concept and title of Eagle Feather was born.
Listen to Eagle Feather, available everywhere now, HERE.
Eagle Feather is the culmination of a three-part thematic trilogy where Munsick used animals as inspirational spirits, which started with Coyote Cry, his debut album. With the eagle feather representing honor, strength and wisdom, it highlights Munsick’s personal growth through life experiences and lessons learned that have shaped him into who he is.
“If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been listening to my music for at least a couple years. Some of you have probably even been spreading the word of the west for a decade. No matter what side of the coin you’re on, Eagle Featheris for YOU,” Munsick proclaims. “I can confidently say that this is the best album I’ve made. But it’s not mine anymore… it’s yours.
“All the countless hours we spent pondering lyrics, crafting melodies and tweaking tones were all because we want you to love every second of this project,” he adds. “You have blessed my career beyond belief. Thank you will never be enough, but hopefully this album will. Your next favorite song of mine awaits.”
Eagle Feather opens with the first of three Prairie Laments that bookend the project, appearing at the beginning, middle and end. Setting the tone for the album, Munsick longingly declares his love for Wyoming, and his desire to set his legacy there.
In between, Munsick sets forward the pillars upon which the album’s meaning and message are based: honor, love and authenticity, which in turn, is a code of how to live.
Tapping into his friends was pivotal for this album, as evident in the title track, co-written with singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. Getting together to write on a late afternoon in Nashville, Munsick shared with him the honor of being adopted into the Crow Tribe. As he listened, Wilson started to play his gut string in his unique tuning. From that, Wilson said, “Gave you my heart like eagle feather,” and just like that, a song was formed.
For a good portion of 2024, Munsick was on the road with another rising Wilson: Lainey. While on the road, he cooked up the deeply personal and delicately poignant “Feather In My Hat.” Munsick knew that if Wilson lent her vocals, it would give it another layer of emotional depth. After a show at New York City’s legendary Radio City Music Hall, Munsick asked Wilson if she’d contribute her vocals. The answer was a resounding yes.
Watch the “Feather In My Hat” official music video, out now, HERE.
Munsick was also able to draw from personal experiences and stories to show how life’s little moments can be its most impactful. One example of this can be found on “Wolf Creek Road,” a powerful moment where Munsick reflects on a true story after a night out at the rodeo when he was a teenager, when he had a close call and rolled his car. His father, none too pleased, drove him back to that area to show him a wooden cross on the side of the road and didn’t say a word. For Munsick, the silence was deafening and said everything. That “what might have been if you weren’t careful” moment is somberly reflected throughout the song’s gut-wrenching four minutes.
The heaviness of the album culminates in its last track, “The Gate.” The track features three generations of Munsicks, with his father and young son participating in the intro and outro, symbolizing leaving the world, or in this case, the gate, just as good as you found it.
To commemorate the album’s release, Munsick partnered with Montana Silversmiths to launch an exclusive jewelry collection featuring unique pieces that blend traditional Western style with contemporary flair, available now exclusively at Boot Barn Nashville stores and BootBarn.com.
Eagle Feather tracklisting (songwriters in parentheses):
1) Prairie Lament (Ian Munsick, Jeremy Spillman)
2) Too Many Trees (Ian Munsick, Wynn Varble)
3) Horses Not Hearts (Andy Albert, Michael Tyler, Ben Stennis)
4) Eagle Feather (Ian Munsick, Stephen Wilson Jr.)
5) Grass In The Middle Of A Dirt Road (Ian Munsick, Jacob Davis, Josh Miller)
6) God Bless The West ft. Cleto Cordero (Ian Munsick, Jeremy Spillman, Casey Beathard)
7) Caroline (Ian Munsick, Jeremy Spillman, Phil O’Donnell)
8) Stampede ( Ian Munsick, Phil O’Donnell, Jeremy Spillman)
9) Prairie Lament ii (Ian Munsick)
10) Wolf Creek Road (Ian Munsick, Abram Dean, Jeremy Spillman)
11) Feather In My Hat ft. Lainey Wilson (Ian Munsick, Caitlyn Smith, Marc Scilbila)
12) Fixin’ Me (Ian Munsick, Trannie Anderson, Jared Conrad)
13) Drink Around (Wyatt McCubbin, Travis Wood, Jared Kiem)
14) Made Her That Way (Ian Munsick)
15) Good Dogs & Sad Songs (Ian Munsick, Jeremy Spillman, Rivers Rutherford)
16) Firewater (Ian Munsick, Jeremy Spillman, Jeff Hyde)
17) Western Woman (Ian Munsick, Billy Montana, Randy Montana)
18) Cheyenne (Ian Munsick, Jeremy Spillman)
19) Prairie Lament iii (Ian Munsick and Jeremy Spillman)
20) The Gate (Ian Munsick, Benjy Davis, Josh Kerr)
