[Cover photo credit to Craig Young]

Nashville-based guitarist and singer/songwriter Rob McNelley is known for his work with artists like Bob Seger, Dolly Parton, and Luke Combs. He has just released his new single, “Right Back To You,” a heartbreak anthem combining Americana, Pop, and Rock.

The song marks the beginning of a series of Americana-flavored Pop-Rock singles that he will be unveiling over the coming months, culminating in an EP later this year. The announcement comes on the heels of McNelley winning his fourth ACM Award for “Guitar Player of the Year” last week.

McNelley says:

Everybody in Nashville knows me, but people outside of that world, even if they have heard the music I’ve played on, don’t know my name or know me as a solo artist. I’m hoping to change that with this new music.

Among many others, McNelley can be heard on albums by Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Jr., Lady Antebellum, Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Delbert McClinton, and he is Bob Seger’s lead guitarist.

McNelley’s latest single, “Right Back To You,” is an anthem about a woman cheating on her man. The new material was produced with Grammy Award-winning producer Justin Francis (Kacey Musgraves, Orville Peck, Little Big Town) and multi-instrumentalist Russ Pahl (Robert Plant, Carrie Underwood, Dan Auerbach, Vince Gill).

McNelley plans to continue as a sideman while pursuing opportunities as a solo artist. Throughout 2024 and beyond, he will release singles and play shows regionally.

Reflecting on his path, he says:

I’ve been fortunate to play with artists who have the Mount Rushmore of songs. When I play one of their songs, I always say to myself, ‘how do I write a song that good?!’ It inspires me!