Award-winning Country Star Releases Heartfelt Cover Of This Pop Classic

2020 has been a breakout year for country music’s newest star, Tommy Atkins.

After scoring his first #1 hit, «Cinderella’s Had a Drink» (#1 LGBTQ Music Chart, #2 U.K. iTunes Country, #2 Q32 Chart Canada, #3 New Zealand iTunes Country), the freshly crowned Male Artist of the Year (CMS Listener’s Choice Awards) has released a heartfelt cover of Wham’s 1984 hit, «Freedom». And already, the song has reached #2 in New Zealand and #5 in the U.K.

«George Michael is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and this is my favourite song by Wham. I really wanted to make it my own, so it’s laden with fiddle and steel and harmonies, and it’s now sang from an openly gay perspective. It’s real country heartbreak and I hope people love this new take on a classic».

The track was recorded in Nashville by producer Dr Ford and features 2020 GRAMMY winner, Michael Cleveland, on fiddle, legendary pedal steel player, Smith Curry (Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift), and Chris Condon on guitars (Billy Ray Cyrus). The song was mastered by GRAMMY-nominated engineer, Pete Lyman, for Infrasonic Sound (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson).

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Tommy’s upcoming tour and festival appearances have been postponed.

Tommy Atkins version of «Freedom» are on of the challengers to the LGBTQ Music Chart this week – so if you want it on the chart – you need to vote here. Below you can take a listen to the Tommy’s new single.