After years of touring, recording, songwriting, and being asked the question, "when are you finally going to record a solo record?", Josh and an incredible team has done just that. Currently, the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for award winning Americana ensemble Mountain Heart, Josh has toured and shared the stage with artist including: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tony Rice, Marty Stuart, Gene Watson, Marshall Tucker, LoCash Cowboys, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Larry Braggs and Doc Kupka (Tower of Power), Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, The Punch Brothers, Diamond Rio, Lorrie Morgan, Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent, Pam Tillis, and many more. On top of touring, Josh has spent nearly all his time off the road in the studio working as a session musician and vocalist, as well as a full-time songwriter. Having numerous songs recorded by other artists, Josh has held onto some of his favorite songs from his catalog for himself. Letting Go features many of these songs, a few of which have been proven time and time again in performances on stage while touring. Josh also put his experience in the studio to use acting as co-producer for the project as well as playing piano, Hammond Organ, guitar, percussion, and singing lead and harmony vocals. Much of the project was captured live in very honest and emotional performances, which has become Josh's calling card. On top of the all-star cast of known Bluegrass and Americana players and singers like Cia Cherryholmes, Jim VanCleve, Randy Kohrs, Molly Cherryholmes, and Aaron Ramsey, Josh also enlisted legendary producer Mike Clute (Restless Heart, Faith Hill, Diamond Rio) to co-produce the CD with him. Good friend and co-writer Jimmy Olander (guitarist for Diamond Rio) played guitar on track 2 entitled "Don't Move". The son of famous producer Barry Beckett and well-known session player, Mark Beckett played drums on the project and upright/electric bassist Kevin "Swine" Grantt played bass on most tracks. There are a few songs that lean more towards commercial radio and a few that fall into the Americana/Folk category. All of which feature strong lyric content, tasteful melodies, and a fresh, organic feeling production. "Overall, we didn't set out to fit into a particular mold. We just wanted to record some strong material and allow the music to breathe and go where it naturally felt right. I think we achieved that goal and I'm really excited for folks to hear what we came up with!" said Shilling. --Letting Go - A Personal Mission Statement: "In the beginning of 2011, I felt something deeply calling me to finally get to work on my first solo project. Following the carpe diem lifestyle that I've recently been living, I went for it. A dear friend once told me "an artist should make each record as if it's the last one they'll ever make." My response was, "I want to make records that I'd love to listen to ... records that I'm proud of for the rest of my life". I had that conversation running in mind through every step of this project, and I see now it was that late night ramble between friends that defined the kind of recording "Letting Go" would be. Recently, I reached what I think is the most important milestone in my career. I have spent too much time second-guessing myself ... am I ready as a writer? Player? Singer? Producer? Enough! I figured out, "I respond to music that is honest and heartfelt!" So, here I am for the first time in my career deciding to completely trust my gut and record what I love ... and what I believe in. While I can't wait to let the world hear this project, in so many ways Letting Go is for me. This record is the result of me finding myself as an artist, and for the first time being completely comfortable in my own skin. It finally happened when I took all the fear and anxiety I carried around for so long ... and let it go." - Josh Shilling