Billboard Top 10 American Roots singer/songwriter Grant Maloy Smith joined with Grammy® nominated Mary Dawood Catlin and her husband Todd to create "Tennessee Sunshine" in the tradition of classic Country/American Roots songwriting. Grant's guitar and vocals were recorded live in one take. Then Grammy winner Matt Combs was called in to add his impeccable fiddle to the track. The result is a poignant story of a man who left his homeland and returned years later, hoping and praying that she would take him back.
%20small1.jpg)
"Nostalgic and tinged with regret for time lost, Grant Maloy Smith’s and Mary Dawood Catlin’s 'Tennessee Sunshine' is one of those sweet musical valentines you never forget. Grant’s soothing guitar and emotional vocals, combined with Matt Comb’s exquisite fiddling, are a perfect blend that tugs on the heartstrings. And don't let its elegant simplicity fool you. Every time you listen, you feel something new."
~Eileen Bluestone Sherman
Emmy® Award-Winning producer, playwright,
and lyricist
"'Tennessee Sunshine' is a brilliant and melodic song capturing the essence of Tennessee, with masterful singing and a beautiful violin."
~ Kevin Lucas, award-winning marimba player, songwriter, and percussionist
For Your Consideration
"Tennessee Sunshine"
BEST AMERICAN ROOTS SONG
About the Songwriters:
Grant Maloy Smith is a Billboard Top 10-charting Americana recording artist. His albums have spent 17 weeks on the Billboard charts, including 11 weeks in the top 10. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Bluebird Cafe, and countless venues across the USA and around the world. Grant is best-known for his "American Stories" series of theme albums, which include Dust Bowl, Appalachia, Mississippi, and Wild West, which will be officially released on 18 September, 2026. Grant produces songs in multiple genres for other artists in his own studio. He frequently collaborates with marimba master Kevin Lucas, and the two have released multiple songs and videos together.
This is his first collaboration with Mary and Todd Catlin.
Mary Dawood Catlin is a Canadian-American classical pianist and composer. She is Grammy® nominated for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for her work "Hope Orchestrated." Her music spans traditional classical interpretations and original compositions, with a discography featuring deep themes. Todd Catlin is a songwriter, producer, and recording engineer with multiple credits as a producer and recording engineer on Grammy® nominated releases. Todd and Mary Catlin are co-founders of the record labels Elysium Classics and Magnificent Monster, as well as Elysium Classics Studios.
The Catlin Team co-wrote "Tennessee Sunshine" with Grant Maloy Smith.
Credits:
Released to all streaming platforms on July 17, 2026
Suburban Cowboy, LLC
UPC: 882988884175
ISRC: QT6EY2671229
Primary Genre: Country
Secondary Genre: American Roots
Songwriters: Grant Maloy Smith, Mary Dawood Catlin, Todd Catlin
Produced by: Grant Maloy Smith, Mary Dawood Catlin, Todd Catlin
Mixed and mastered at Suburban Cowboy Studio in Wakefield, Rhode Island.
Mr. Combs' fiddle was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee
Mr. Smith's vocals and guitar were recorded at Suburban Cowboy Studio in Wakefield, Rhode Island
Grant Maloy Smith • Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Matt Combs • Fiddle
All rights reserved.