Shelby Lynne left Nashville both physically and metaphorically behind over 25 years ago.
In 2000, she released “I Am Shelby Lynne,” a groundbreaking album that earned her a Grammy for best new artist. After spending a decade in Nashville and releasing five albums that did not fully capture her vibrant Southern soul, Lynne relocated to Palm Springs, California, and moved away from country music. While she achieved success with the bluesy rock and retro pop sound of “I Am,” produced by Bill Bottrell, she struggled with her own artistic expectations, poor decisions, and issues with drinking.
Now back in Tennessee, Lynne sat on the patio of Soho House, the Nashville version of the British social club, dressed in rust-colored Dickies overalls over a crisp white shirt and a tailored black jacket. Reflecting on her journey, she laughed warmly.
“I came back here to be near Sissy,” Lynne, 55, said in her distinctive drawl, referring to her sister, singer and songwriter Allison Moorer. “I was still making records in California, but I thought that part of my life was behind me. I just wanted to write some songs and maybe secure a publishing deal, which I never had.”
In Nashville, known for nurturing legacy artists, the creative energy welcomed her back. With the 25th anniversary of “I Am” approaching, Katie McCartney of Monument Records proposed a reissue. However, Lynne was also focused on new songs, with assistance from country artist Ashley Monroe, who introduced her to female collaborations that provided a fresh experience. The outcome is “Consequences of the Crown,” her 17th studio album set to release this Friday.