There is something uniquely special about music being made not because a record label executive had it written in a contract or because an artist is hungry for commercial success. Nicolle Galyon is a record label executive, the proud label head of Songs & Daughters, an imprint of Big Loud Records. She is a songwriter, first and foremost, with countless industry awards under her belt. This perspective, being behind some of the hottest songs of the past decade, gave Nicolle the itch to tell her own stories in her own music.
And just like that, with her signature way with words, firstborn was released, just 15 months ago. It was a concept album about her own life, how a young girl growing up in Kansas turned her passion for country music as a fan into a career as a songwriter. Along the way, she learns about herself, faces her insecurities, and finds love a lot earlier than she expected – all the while learning how to balance it all.
Now back with another collection of songs called second wife, Galyon takes us into another side of her world, this time focusing solely on her relationship with her husband of 16 years, Rodney Clawson. A hit songwriter himself and recent inductee into the Texas Songwriter Hall Of Fame, Clawson and Galyon have each independently earned their prestigious accolades.
These six songs are the perfect salute to the complications of a marriage, especially a second marriage, and how Galyon and Clawson always prioritzed their love for one another through it all. The EP starts at the very beginning with “jo,” which is a minute-long prelude tribute to Rodney’s mother and how she raised him to be the man Nicolle fell in love with. It sets the tone for this project in the best way, simple, sweet, and sincere.
Clawson, a writer behind some of the most-played country songs of the past twenty years (“American Kids” by Kenny Chesney, “Get Your Shine On” by Florida Georgia Line, and even “I Saw God Today” by George Strait), he brings a spirited edge to this collection and encourages Nicolle to show off her silly, lighthearted side with tracks like “prenup.” and “texas hold em”. The former is an excellent ditty that rambles off each of the useless items they would split if they ever ended their relationship, like uncut country songs and Dixie plates. Rodney’s second verse plays into their charming banter as they harmonize to the upbeat melody. The latter is a love song to Texas and the rare breed of men that have called it home.
Where “self care” on Nicolle’s debut album highlighted a grown woman allowing herself to feel comfortable in her skin, “rooms” flashes back to the weakening insecurities that she felt, pulling back the curtain on those first few events she attended as Rodney’s plus 1. The listener almost feels uncomfortable alongside her, listening to a typically confident woman recall those memories.
“the grain.” recognizes the unconventional twists and turns of her life and the free-falling, wistful emotions that come with it. It’s proud, yet gentle with subtle nods to country living over the acoustic guitar. A focal point for Nicolle has always been her hometown of Sterling, Kansas. “under the rainbow.” closes out this project with the charming, familiar melody of “Over The Rainbow” but instead of Dorothy singing to bluebirds, Nicolle’s vocal echos about her love for this small town that she now has chosen to call home once again.
Each of the tracks was written on a farm just outside of Nashville and recorded and produced by Jimmy Robbins and King Henry at the famed Sonic Ranch in Texas. Covering so many unique points of intrigue about Nicolle and Rodney’s storied relationship, second wife is a reflection of how far they’ve come and a true representation of who they are as a married couple and songwriters.
9.2/10
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