We’ve known and been following Kristen Foreman’s musical journey for nearly as long as Pro Country has been in existence. We remember when she posted an acoustic performance of the verse and chorus to a song called “Pedal Steel Me Away” in March of 2023 and getting excited about how a recorded version of the song would turn out.
Now, a year and a half later, we don’t have to wonder anymore, and thankfully, the song more than lived up to expectations. Within the first 15 seconds of the song, lush steel guitar, a lonesome fiddle and delayed drum track transport us directly into a smoky bar, and the lyric of drowning sorrow after a lost love ties the knot with another puts us on a barstool right next to the Texas-based singer/songwriter, who has turned in what’s sure to be one of our song of the year favorites.
We chatted with Foreman all about “Pedal Steel Me Away,” living in Texas, new music and more!
Pro Country: Before you released your newest single, “Pedal Steel Me Away,” you originally posted an acoustic performance of the song on social media early this year that was well-received, and the already has over 20,000 views across platforms. How encouraging has the response been to the song over the last few months, especially leading up to the song’s release?
Kristen Foreman: It’s been extremely exciting! I hope it continues to get traction and reach new fans.
PC: You solo-wrote “Pedal Steel Me Away.” Can you take us in your head and into the room and talk about how the song came together?
KF: I had the idea for the song written down for a while before I actually wrote it. The story/plot was inspired by a crush I had at the time that had recently gotten engaged, so that’s how I came up with the hook: “Cause he put a golden ring on her hand today, so please pedal steel me away.”
PC: It’s been a while since you released your last uber-traditional country ballad, “Four and a Half Minutes.” How much did you enjoy leaning even heavier into your traditional country influence and the waltz sound with “Pedal Steel Me Away”?
KF: It almost feels like a more mature version of that first waltz that I released. My songwriting has grown a lot since then, so it’s cool to compare the two and see that even though my writing has progressed, the roots of the type of country music I want to be releasing remains the same.
PC: To coincide with “Pedal Steel Me Away” and our mutual love of sad songs, what are a few of your favorite sad country songs that come to mind?
KF: “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am”-Patty Loveless, “I May Hate Myself in the Morning”-Lee Ann Womack and “Somebody Should Leave”-Reba.
PC: After you released “Spicy,” you mentioned there was a lot more new music in the pipeline. What information, if any, can you give about any forthcoming releases? What can listeners expect to hear?
KF: My next single release will also have a sad tone to the lyrics, but it’s got a more mid-tempo bluesy feel to it.
PC: Last time we talked, you had recently relocated to Texas and were introducing yourself to the Texas country music scene. In the months since then, how comfortable are you in the scene now and how much do you enjoy being a part of it?
KF: I am very happy with the move and definitely feel a sense of community here. It’s been really refreshing and has given me a new sense of drive/motivation!
Pro Country 