Chris Rains' new album, Sounds from Melodies Bedroom, catches him on a second honeymoon. It's a group of songs that arrived while he was falling in love with music all over again, and thus finds him renewing his vows with his life's passion.

If not lyrically, that's what this album is all about spiritually for Rains. His first proper studio release, Sounds from Melodies Bedroom, was created at a time when the Jamestown, Tennessee, singer/songwriter was at a crossroads both personally and professionally.

The seeds for Rains' blend of southern soul and acoustic storytelling were planted some 20 years ago in Jamestown, where he was raised. Having grown up singing in the local bars, as a teen he fell in love with everything from the poetic songwriting of Edwin McCain to the '90s country of Garth Brooks. Eventually, he would become the self-described bastard child of everything from Kiss to James Taylor. He began writing songs as a teen, where he slowly began building a name for himself while playing the college town's many bars, pubs and restaurants.


The one thing that has never changed in Rains' career, despite any ups and downs. He's always loved the music. And right now he's more smitten with it and its power than ever before. While it has been a long process, he wouldn't change a thing, he says. "Honestly, I'm so glad that all that stuff happened because I wouldn't have the attitude that I have now. I don't think I would understand how much I love this, and how much I love playing. It's not about chart positions or record sales or anything like that, it just has to do with people coming together and sharing a moment, that's it."

"And that's all I ever wanted to do. I just love that moment in the small club and bar where every single person in there has a moment where it's silent and they get it and it's beautiful, that moment where the music that's coming off the stage is much more than the players and much more than the audience and something happens and you're sitting there and your hair stands up. That's it, man. I love it."