Payton Howie Celebrates Life’s Freedoms with New Single, “Freedom”

If 2020 was a jumping point for Payton Howie, 2021 is already proving to be full speed ahead for the Temecula, California native. With four singles and hundreds of thousands of streams already under her belt prior to the release of her newest single, “Freedom,” Howie has not only picked up where she left off with her last single, “Run Boy Run,” she’s expanding her horizons as well. Still present are her clear rock influences, but “Freedom” comes equipped with a straight forward, windows down, singalong country sound made for the summer.

Just a few weeks removed from its release, “Freedom” has already earned a spot on two Spotify curated playlists, continuing a string of momentum that Howie is currently enjoying.

“It’s so humbling to see all of the love and support on my first few songs carry into the releases of my newest singles. I can’t even describe how excited I was to see ‘Freedom’ added to Spotify’s New Music Nashville and Fresh Finds: Country playlists!” says Howie. “It feels like every time I drop new music, I meet one of my goals and that would never be possible without my listeners and supporters always hyping up new releases!”

Though the Nashville-living singer/songwriter has always expressed her support of the Military, with “Freedom,” she’s offering tangible proof, enlisting heavy-hitting co-writers and session musicians to turn the song into the anthemic type of release it has become.

“Sitting in the room with my co-writers, Erik Halbig, Michael Austin and Joanna Yaeger, we created ‘Freedom’ to remind listeners of what once made them feel free and what still does. From first kisses under Friday night lights, getting that first truck on your own and driving away, all the way to our service men and women making the choice and sacrifice to fight for our freedom,” says Howie. “’Freedom’ paints the picture of two lovers just out of high school. He enlists and asks her to wait for him as he’s headed out overseas. The amazing musical talent on this single really brought the story to life; Mike Johnson (Reba, Garth, Hank, George Strait), Steve Mackey (Garth, Dolly, Peter Frampton), Erik Halbig (Sara Evans, Jake Owen, Wynonna, Tanya Tucker), Tim Grogan (Aaron Tippin, Ty Herndon) and Billy Nobel (Tim McGraw). I’m so humbled!”

“Freedom” also comes equipped with a music video, Howie’s first that she has released, which has the down-home, local feel that a song of its nature deserves.

“Shooting the ‘Freedom’ music video was a total blast. My videographer, Kevin Garcia (Korn, Chaka Khan, Jay Leno, G Eazy, Poppy), was so fun to work with and literally brought our vision of ‘Freedom’ to life,” says Howie. “The cast and crew made the video what it was. Considering I was able to have some of our veterans, a few professional dancers from Texas A&M, and The Willis High School Football and Cheer teams participate in the video, I’m so grateful to have had so much local support. My entire community really came together for this, and it was so amazing to get to see it all unfold on camera. I’m already dying to get started on the music video for my next single.”

As Howie prepares for what she promises to be a barn-burning single to be released at summer’s end, her plate for the rest of the year is chock full of creating new music, music videos and sharing her music from the stage.

“I’ll be getting back in the studio in August to work on some new music, filming three new music videos and lots of touring this year!” says Howie. “I’m super excited to be on the lineup for the Old Town Music Festival this summer with The Band Perry, Billy Ray Cyrus, Chris Janson, Walker Hayes, Tyler Farr, Honey County and many other amazing artists!”