For decades now, Petrella – The First Lady of Country-Soul has delighted audiences all over the country as a dynamic singer and songwriter. Her new project, ‘Songs of Many Colors,’ will only add to her legend as one of the trailblazing African Americans in country music. Songs of Many Colors easily rates high in the country releases of 2021, besides counting as one of the best albums one could listen to, regardless of genre.
Though her music feels as if it has country music in its roots, Petrella’s dynamic range and lyrical intention add soul music’s gravitas to the mix—just listen to ‘Lovin and Chasin the Blues’ for a terrific example of this fusion at its best. ‘Cart before the horse’ is a joyous, foot-tapping track we played on loop. The heartfelt Songs of Many Colors, marks Petrella’s eighth studio CD.
Stream ‘Songs of Many Colors’
The new CD features 11 original songs written by Petrella, who has been described as one of the best musical storytellers of our time. With 2021 not yet at the halfway point, it’s hard to imagine many other albums coming along that could match the combination of emotional potency and melodic fluency as in Petrella’s 10 song LP which is just short of 40 minutes. Born Petrella Ann Bonner in Hot Springs, AR, the veteran singer made a name for herself when opportunities and prospects were nearly impossible to imagine for a young black girl who wanted to sing country. But that didn’t deter Petrella or take her off her grind. She was, and still is, resolute in her mission to make glorious music.
“I just can’t imagine not singing, not being an entertainer,” she said. A superstar in her own right, she has opened for headliners such as The Spinners, Billy Vera and the Beaters and The Delfonics. Her first single was Blues Stay Away From Me, written by legendary trumpet player, songwriter, arranger and producer Henry Glover, who’s also from Hot Springs. I Found Somebody was her highest-charting single and was written by Glen Frey of the Eagles.
In 1994, she was named “Songwriter of the Year” by the Nashville Songwriters Association International . And in 2016, Petrella was listed in Essence magazine as one of the “18 Black Country Singers You Need to Know.”
She clearly has been an inspiration to a new generation of African Americans in Country. “I am very happy and excited for the young black women in country music like Rissi Palmer and Mickey Guyton, and I wish them all the best,” Petrella said. “If in any way I have made their journey a little easier, then I would say, ‘Petrella, job well done,’ because that was my intent when I started out in 1988.”
Follow Petrella: Spotify | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
