This video is one of those moments that reminds me why I do what I do—an artist’s sound just flat-out stops me in my tracks. I’m sharing Andrew Carpenter, a college student out of Alabama, and his song “Myrtle, Mississippi.” I originally came across a video his mom had taken of him performing it, and it was sitting at around 600 views. The second I heard that voice and the way he carries the lyric, I knew I wanted to get it in front of my audience. What you’re hearing here is raw, honest storytelling—no flash, no gimmicks—just a chilling vocal and a song that leans into shame, grace, and the hard questions: “Would you have stayed if you had a choice?” He’s singing about pride, innocence, memory, and change—“honey, I’m not sleeping… I’m losing weight… but love, that’s change.” That kind of writing lands because it feels lived-in. If you’re into Appalachian-rooted songwriting, Americana, and country that puts truth ahead of polish, this is exactly the kind of emerging artist I love shining a light on.